The Office for Legal Complaints published a draft of the scheme rules over the summer and overall feedback was "that the rules provide the correct structure to support an Ombudsman scheme that resolves disputes impartially, quickly and fairly."

Following this, they had a formal consultation to ensure the rules "capture the spirit of the Act, not just the words".

"The decisions about how to shape the rules remain critical to the success of the Ombudsman scheme. The public consultation on the draft scheme rules closed on 8 December 2009. We will publish our response shortly."

There was also a Consultation regarding the Fair Case fee. "The Legal Services Act specifically states that we must set a case fee for lawyers who use the ombudsman service...Our aim is... to develop a structure for charging a fee which supports the role of an ombudsman scheme as an independent and impartial service assisting consumers of legal services and their lawyers resolve complaints. We want to be as fair as possible."

You can see SPG's response to the Scheme Rules Consultation at www.officeforlegalcomplaints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Sole-Practitioners-Group1.pdf and the response to the fees Consultation at www.officeforlegalcomplaints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Sole-Practitioners-Group.pdf

SPG are very grateful to Clive Sutton who kindly prepared these important and substantial responses with support and feedback from the rest of the Executive Committee.