How to Complain to the Legal Ombudsman
The Legal Ombudsman looks at complaints about the service you got from solicitors, barristers, licensed conveyancers and other regulated lawyers, once they have had 8 weeks to put things right. It is free. Write your complaint to your lawyer first, and we print it and post it for you by Royal Mail.
Not complained to your lawyer yet? Send your complaint by Royal Mail Tracked 24, from £8.99, so you can prove the date it arrived.
From £2.49 including printing and postage
- No printer or Post Office trip
- See the finished letter before you pay
- Order by 2.30pm for same-day posting
Quick Answer
- Complain first to
- Your lawyer
- They have
- 8 weeks
- Then you have
- 6 months
- Cost
- Free
- Phone
- 0300 555 0333
You also usually need to complain within 1 year of the problem, or of when you found out about it.
Where to Send It
Complain to your lawyer first, using their complaints procedure. If they do not sort it out, complain to the Legal Ombudsman online or with its complaint form.
Your lawyer
Your complaint to your solicitor, barrister or other lawyer, which comes first.
The address on their lettersor their websiteTell them you are unhappy, in writing if you can, and keep a note of what you said and when.
Write your complaint letterLegal Ombudsman
Returning its complaint form by post.
Legal OmbudsmanPO Box 6167SloughSL1 0EHIts online form is the main route. You can also download its complaint form and return it by email or post, but that takes longer to process.
Checked against the Legal Ombudsman website on 19 October 2026.
Why Send It With PostRight
Proof It Arrived
Choose Tracked 24 and you can see when your letter was delivered, with a photo on delivery. Useful when a deadline or reply time counts from the day it arrives.
No Printer, Envelope or Stamp
Type your letter or upload a PDF on any device. We print it, put it in the envelope and post it.
Posted Today
Order by 2.30pm on a working day and we post it the same day by Royal Mail.
How It Works
- 1Complain to your lawyerWrite to your lawyer, say what went wrong and how you want it put right, and keep a copy.
- 2We print it and post itOrder by 2.30pm on a working day and we post it the same day by Royal Mail. A tracked service shows when it arrived, which helps you count the reply time.
- 3Go to the Legal OmbudsmanIf your lawyer does not reply within 8 weeks, or you are unhappy with their final response, complain to the Legal Ombudsman within 6 months.
Complain to Your Lawyer First
Your lawyer has up to 8 weeks to respond. If they do not reply in that time, or you are unhappy with their final response, you can take your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman. A final response is when they have nothing further to say.
Time Limits
Bring your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman within 6 months of your lawyer's final response. It also needs to be within 1 year of the problem happening, or 1 year from when you found out about it.
Who It Covers
The Legal Ombudsman covers regulated solicitors, barristers, licensed conveyancers, costs lawyers, legal executives, notaries, and patent and trade mark attorneys. Members of the public, very small businesses, charities, clubs and trusts can complain. It cannot give legal advice or look at a lawyer you did not use.
How Long It Takes
The Legal Ombudsman says its first checks currently take up to 12 weeks, and it is taking 9 to 12 months for most cases to be accepted and an investigation to begin.
Other Ombudsman Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Legal Ombudsman, PO Box 6167, Slough, SL1 0EH.
Send your complaint to your lawyer today.
Write or upload your letter, choose your service at checkout, and we print it and post it by Royal Mail.
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