PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
LSRA Annual Report highlights increased complaints activity, enforcement and progress across legal services sector
The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) received 1,788 complaints in 2025, an increase of 21% on the previous year, while closing more complaints than ever before and increasing enforcement activity, according to its 2025 Annual Report published today. The report also highlights progress in legal education and training, access to the professions, research and public awareness.
The LSRA closed a record 1,933 complaints during 2025, the highest number of complaints closed in a single year and the third consecutive year in which complaint closures increased. The independent regulator also increased its enforcement activity, making 27 applications to the High Court to enforce directions issued following complaints investigations and 101 applications to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
Chief Executive Officer, Niamh Muldoon said the figures reflected growing public awareness of the LSRA’s role and ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the complaints process.
“The increase in complaints received reflects growing awareness of the LSRA’s role as the independent regulator of legal services and the availability of an independent complaints process for consumers. At the same time, the record number of complaints closed demonstrates the ongoing work of LSRA staff and members of our regulatory committees to improve processes and deliver timely outcomes.
“The work set out in this report demonstrates how our statutory functions work together. Complaints handling, research, legal education and public engagement each play an important role underpinning high standards, supporting consumer protection and ensuring confidence in legal services.”
In addition, complaints handling and enforcement, the Annual Report highlights progress across the LSRA’s wider regulatory work, including:
- The establishment of the Legal Education and Training Committee and continued implementation of recommendations arising from the Breaking Down Barriers report, including the establishment of an Implementation Working Group.
- Continued growth in solicitor Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), with 34 authorised during 2025, bringing the total to 541.
- Continued research and reporting to support evidence-based regulation and inform policy discussions across the legal services sector.
Chairperson of the LSRA, Tom Boland said:
“2025 was a year of sustained delivery across the LSRA’s core areas of activity. The Authority continued to oversee a regulatory environment that is growing in scale and complexity while ensuring that its systems and processes remained robust, proportionate and responsive.
“This report reflects the breadth of the LSRA’s statutory remit and the commitment and professionalism of the executive staff and Authority members in carrying out that work. It also provides a strong operational and organisational foundation as the LSRA moves into the next phase of its strategic development.”
The LSRA Annual Report 2025 is available at lsra.ie.
ENDS