Sir, - I anticipate reading a defensive response from the Law Society to Victor Boyhan's excellent letter (November 26th) captioned "Watch on Solicitors". No doubt the society will wish to outline how it responded positively to the Fair Trade Commission's recommendation in 1991 for the appointment of a legal ombudsman, by agreeing to appoint two lay observers to its complaints committee.
What has been achieved by these appointments? The grim reality remains that lack of confidence in this, the most powerful of profession's complaints procedure continues to persist in the public arena. Such is the case, because clients' complaints continue to be processed behind closed doors in secret. Furthermore, whenever complaints are not dealt with to the complainant's satisfaction, the society fails to provide them with any, or any adequate explanation for the basis upon which a decision was made to take no disciplinary action against the solicitor concerned.
For as long as the legal profession continues to resist the appointment of a legal ombudsman by its skilful use of political influence, it can only add to the growing lack of public confidence in a legal system which reflects the old, unhelpful practice of self-preservation. "Circle the wagons and protect our own". - Yours, etc.,
Duncairn Terrace, Bray, Co Wicklow.