PRESS RELEASE

 

LSRA report shows 1,000 complaints received and 1,139 complaints closed in six-month period

 

Legal practitioners directed to pay €86,944 to clients in compensation

 

Wills and probate complaints highlight key lessons for legal practitioners and consumers

 

Wednesday, 29th April 2026

 

The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) has today published its latest independent complaints handling report, covering 3 September 2025 to 6 March 2026.

 

The LSRA received 1,000 complaints about legal practitioners (solicitors and barristers) during the reporting period, an increase of 19% on the previous six months. A total of 1,139 complaints were closed in that time.

 

The LSRA can investigate three types (grounds) of complaint: inadequate legal services, excessive costs and misconduct. The report provides insights into the number and nature of complaints received and how those complaints are resolved. It includes a focused examination of complaints relating to wills and probate, an area of legal services that people often engage with at particularly sensitive and difficult times.

 

During the reporting period, legal practitioners were directed by the LSRA to pay a total of €86,944 in compensation to clients and to waive or refund a further €79,888 in legal professional fees charged.

 

Key findings from complaints received

  • Of the 1,000 complaints received during the reporting period, 960 related to solicitors and 40 to barristers, reflecting the higher number of solicitors and their greater level of contact with consumers.
  • A total of 781 complaints (78%) involved a single ground.
    • 549 (55%) concerned alleged misconduct only.
    • A further 219 (22%) related only to inadequate legal services.
    • Complaints about excessive costs only were less common at 13 (1%), although excessive costs featured in a further 100 complaints.
  • 219 (22%) complaints were mixed complaints involving more than one ground.

 

Key findings from complaints closed

  • Of the 1,139 complaints closed during the reporting period, 586 complaints (51%) were deemed to be inadmissible following a statutory assessment.
  • 240 complaints (21%) were resolved with the assistance of the LSRA, including 20 complaints resolved through the LSRA’s Informal Resolution process with the assistance of trained mediators.
  • 130 complaints (11%) were not upheld.
  • 86 complaints (7%) were upheld.
  • 41 (3%) complaints of alleged misconduct were referred by the LSRA’s Complaints Committee to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (LPDT).

 

LSRA High Court enforcement activities

Where a legal practitioner fails to comply with a determination of the LSRA or LPDT, the LSRA can apply to the High Court for an order directing compliance. During the six months covered in this report the LSRA issued 19 pre-action letters seeking compliance within a set timeframe. Enforcement proceedings were then issued in nine complaints seeking orders from the High Court directing compliance. In total, the LSRA obtained nine orders from the President of the High Court, some of which related to applications which had been issued in the previous reporting period.

 

Recurring issues identified relating to wills and probate

Complaints relating to wills and probate are examined in this report, continuing the LSRA’s series of themed complaints reports designed to support legal practitioners in reflecting on their practice and to help consumers better understand the standard of service they should receive.

 

Such complaints account for 7% of all complaints received by the LSRA to date (671 out of 9,616). The report identifies a number of recurring issues in these complaints, including delays in progressing matters, poor communication with clients and failures to manage client expectations. While these issues can arise across different areas of legal services, their impact can be more acutely felt in the context of wills and probate.

 

The report also includes anonymised case studies which illustrate how these issues arise in practice and highlight the lessons that can be learned for both legal practitioners and the public.

 

Commenting on the release of the report, Niamh Muldoon, Chief Executive Officer of the LSRA, said: “The LSRA’s complaints handling plays an important role in ensuring that concerns about legal services are examined fairly and independently, and supporting maintenance of standards across the legal professions.

 

“A significant proportion of complaints continue to be resolved at an early stage with the support of the LSRA. This is often the most effective way to address issues and achieve practical outcomes for both clients and legal practitioners.

 

“This report highlights the impact that delays, poor communication and a lack of clarity can have on clients, particularly in areas such as wills and probate where people may be dealing with difficult personal circumstances.

 

“By identifying recurring issues and sharing practical examples, the report aims to support legal practitioners in reflecting on their practice and to help improve outcomes for consumers of legal services.”

 

The full report is available on the LSRA website here.

 

ENDS