Explanatory Memorandum

Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

2016 CHAPTER 14

11th April 2016

Commentary on Sections

Section 13: Jurisdiction of the Complaints Committees

Section 13 broadly defines what types of person are eligible to bring complaints to the Bar Complaints Committee and who may be the subject of a complaint.

Subsection (1) provides that a complaint will fall within the jurisdiction of the Complaints Committee if it is not excluded under section 14 (because the respondent’s in-house procedures have not been used) or if the complainant falls within section 15 and wishes to have the complaint dealt with by the Bar Complaints Committee.

Subsection (2) provides that the right of a person to make a complaint and for the Bar Complaints Committee to investigate may not be limited or excluded by any contract term.