The society has a duty to provide a grant-making fund to protect clients who have lost money because of the dishonesty of a solicitor or a member of their staff. The SLCC has powers to monitor the effectiveness of those arrangements and make recommendations for improvement.

Commenting on the report’s findings, Vicky Crichton, director of public policy, said: “I want to thank the Law Society of Scotland’s Client Protection Sub-Committee and its staff for their openness in discussing the Client Protection Fund arrangements with us.

“From what we have been able to see, the fund operates well. The public facing information about the fund is clear and easy to understand and guidance is offered to claimants to support them to make claims which the sub-committee can consider and assess.

“We have recommended that the sub-committee ensures claimants are kept updated regularly on the progress of their claims. We have also suggested that seeking feedback from claimants on the quality and accessibility of its communications could provide suggestions for potential improvements. 

“We have raised a specific concern that the sub-committee is not currently meeting the requirement that at least 50 per cent of its membership should be lay members. While there is provision for the sub-committee to continue to operate with a temporary shortfall in the number of its lay members, we recommend this is addressed as a matter of urgency to ensure compliance with the spirit of the legislation.

“We hope this report and its recommendations will provide an opportunity for the sub-committee to reflect on the perception and accessibility of the Client Protection Fund for those who may need to access it.”