The Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 sets out the duties of the SLCC to make rules as to practice and procedure. The Act requires the SLCC to keep the Rules under review and to vary them whenever it considers it appropriate to do so.

The Act also sets out the requirements for consultation on any proposed changes. The rules currently in force are the Rules of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission 2016.

The consultation runs until 1 December 2021. Statutory consultees have been contacted directly, but the SLCC welcomes comments from all interested parties. Details of how to respond can be found by clicking here.

Vicky Crichton, SLCC director of public policy, said: “Our 2020-24 strategy committed us to a drive to digital - moving to a paperless and digital first approach, and the experience of the last 18 months has only underlined the importance of this.

“Our Rules were last updated in 2016, so we felt an update was timely. Following a thorough review, we are delighted to consult on amendments which reflect that digital focus. The changes proposed take account of the changing external landscape and norms, including technology, communication methods and administrative tools.

“The amendments also respond to specific issues which have arisen in the last five years, where we have identified that a change in the Rules would be desirable to update or to clarify our processes and procedures. This includes updates relating to confidentiality, the requirements to make a complaint, a focus on resolution and gender neutral language.

“Together, these changes will ensure the SLCC is able to discharge its statutory duties as efficiently and effectively as possible. We look forward to hearing others’ views on these proposals over the next few months.”