Many complaints made against solicitors could have been resolved within the solicitor's office if appropriate action had been taken at the right time. Cases of alleged poor service are still often capable of being conciliated.

• Practice Rule 15 provides that solicitors shall operate a complaints handling procedure the text of Rule 15 may be consulted in the Guide Online.
• Information about avoiding or resolving complaints can be found in our leaflet Handling Complaints Effectively.

Solicitors who have complaints made about them which result in an adverse adjudication may be liable for the costs of the investigation. See Recovery of costs.