Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Under the law as it stands a breach of the requirement of a solicitor to provide details of charges to his or her client under section 68 of the Solicitors (Amendment) Act 1994 constitutes misconduct for which a solicitor can be subject to disciplinary proceedings by the Law Society or the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. A function of the Legal Services Ombudsman, provided under legislation of 2009, is to oversee the handling by the Law Society and Bar Council of complaints against solicitors and barristers respectively. However, the Legal Services Bill, the proposals for which are at an advanced stage of development in my Department, will have substantial implications for the Office of the Ombudsman and regulation of the legal professions. I have, therefore, delayed the appointment of a person to the Office.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Code of Conduct for the Bar of Ireland requires a barrister, on taking instructions, to provide an instructing solicitor, or the client in the case of access under the Direct Professional Access Scheme, with particulars of charges in writing. Contravention by a barrister of any provision of the Code may result in disciplinary proceedings by the Bar Council's Professional Conduct Tribunal. A function of the Legal Services Ombudsman, provided under legislation of 2009, is to oversee the handling by the Bar Council and Law Society of complaints against barristers and solicitors respectively. However, the Legal Services Bill, the proposals for which are at an advanced stage of development in my Department, will have substantial implications for the Office of the Ombudsman and regulation of the legal professions. I have, therefore, delayed the appointment of a person to the Office.