The crucial role of the SLCC is in running an independent legal complaint system showing favour to neither complainer nor solicitor. It is questionable as to whether it has expanded its role as a  champion of consumer rights. The time has perhaps come for it to choose between which roles it wishes to pursue.

There are many specific points the SLAS response raises but the following is a short summary of some of these.

A 12.5 per cent increase in levy

The SLCC disregards the Scottish government (SG) medium-term financial strategy despite quoting it. SG do want the changes in the 2025 Act but the timescale has to be balanced against this SG financial strategy. Expecting solicitors to accept a 12.5 per cent rise in levy being over four times the rate of inflation is reckless spending outwith the government strategy.

Comparison with Scottish government increase of court dues on consumers

The SLCC disrespects the legal profession by displaying a biased attitude to it in terms of this massive hike. It has to be compared with how the public and consumers are being treated by their own government e.g. a three per cent increase in court dues on all users including consumers.

Confusion over Scottish government (SG) funding/ring fencing required

Questions are raised by us and an explanation requested over SLCC mention of £300,000 of SG support when the start-up costs estimated in the financial memorandum of SG regarding the Regulation Bill shows £645,000.

SLAS insist that the total amount estimated by SG for start-up costs must be shown as ring fenced, funding extra functions like new register of LPs and complaints system applying only to them. Expecting solicitors to pay for non-solicitor legal practices is grossly unfair to solicitors. The SLCC cannot reasonably make it up out of levy on solicitors. They must accept if SG won’t fund it then it cannot be implemented because of that SG decision. The SLCC states that the £300,000 of SG support is not finalised. If this is not finalised by the time its budget has been set then the SLCC has to assume it is not forthcoming till it is confirmed.