Law Society to fast-track double-charging complaints

The Law Society has vowed to fast-track any complaints against solicitors who may have overcharged clients represented before…

The Law Society has vowed to fast-track any complaints against solicitors who may have overcharged clients represented before the Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB).

Adverts will appear in national newspapers tomorrow offering the Society's assistance to anyone wishing to bring a complaint.

After a special meeting of its complaints committee this afternoon, the society announced a freephone helpline, 1800 242 631, for anyone who wished to make a complaint. It will be effective from 9 am tomorrow.

Ken Murphy, director general of the law society, said the organisation was "utterly appalled" at reports of solicitors double-charging victims of institutional abuse. He did not sit on today's committee.

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He said all claims will be fast-tracked and there will be special meetings of the complaints committee as part of the process.

"The priority of the committee will be to ensure that clients who are improperly charged are reimbursed without delay and in addition to that the matters will be viewed as serious conduct matters which go into a disciplinary process," Mr Murphy said.

Today's specially convened meeting followed complaints from victims of institutional abuse that they had been charged as much as €10,000 for legal representation while their solicitors were also being paid by RIRB. Others complained that up to 10 per cent of their awards had been withheld by their solicitors.

Director of Consumer Affairs Carmel Foley, who is a member of the complaints committee, said yesterday if the allegations were true it would be "a scandal".

Solicitors can be fined, suspended or struck off if a complaint is upheld at the tribunal of complaint, which operates under the auspices of the High Court.