Vol. 485 No. 2
316 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself with the independent adjudicator, appointed by the Incorporated Law Society and funded by it, can act in an independent manner; if the position was advertised before the appointment; and if he will appoint an independent legal Ombudsman. [22899/97]
318 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the statutory instrument, if any, under which the independent adjudicator of the Law Society was appointed. [22901/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 318 together.
The Law Society of Ireland has made the Solicitors (Adjudicator) Regulations, 1997 (S. I. No. 406 of 1997) in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 71 (as amended by section 69 of the Solicitors (Amendment) Act, 1994) of the Solicitors Act, 1954. Under these regulations, the Incorporated Law Society has established a scheme for the examination or investigation by an adjudicator of written complaints concerning the handling by the society of complaints about solicitors.
The Incorporated Law Society has appointed an adjudicator on a part-time basis pursuant to the above regulations. The regulations make specific provision for the independence of the adjudicator.
