Laying down the law
Sir: Seldom have I seen a more blatant example of selective reporting thro appeared in the Notebook (29 July) dear with the Law Society's leaflet advising public on complaints about solicitors. Shiva Naipaul does not appear to understand what courts are for. The Law SocietY has no powers, for example, to order a solicitor to pay compensation for negligence to adjudicate on complaints of professionai negligence, as opposed to professional loisconduct. These are the functions of the ccloieuartts,wbhuot thhaes Saoacyiedtyiffwiciallltaylwinaladsisnis; aa solieitor to sue another solicitor.
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The Law Society enforces a strict code ethics to maintain the high standards of thet profession and, just as important, to prntec the public. If a client, for example feels his bill few/ non-contentious work is too high, the Law Society will investigate and issue a getri:Apr; eration Certificate stating what it consw-he to be a fair and reasonable charge f°r work done. The Society acts on CO of professional misconduct and, if theY a serious enough, will refer them to the solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal which c order a solicitor to be struck Off. If a client loses money through the .isf.f honesty of a solicitor or member of his s'aed there is a Compensation Fund administer/0 by the Society to make good any Inss'ar. addition, solicitors carry compulsory er ance against professional negligence 00d et Law Society's master polieY. Society In preparing this leaflet the an or decided to point out what it is not able,he empowered to do, so as not to misleaci("o'c, public. The last paragraph states 'Tile iety. . seeks at all times to act fairly, itane tially and in the public interest'. Is too much of the Spectator to do likevil Jack Smith
Information Officer, The Law Society.
113 Chancery Lane, London WC2 solieitor to sue another solicitor.
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