SLCC seeks input on COVID's business impact

Legal firms have the chance to tell the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission of the impact of COVID-19 on their business – including their finances and their ability to pay the SLCC's annual levy, under a new survey.

The SLCC wants to understand the likely changes to the shape and health of the legal services sector, and the impact that might have on incoming complaint numbers, to inform the SLCC’s planning and budgeting processes. The SLCC's draft budget and levy proposals for 2021-22 are due to be published in January.

Among other questions the survey asks for views on the effect of the pandemic on the number of lawyers and legal firms, business and fee income levels, levels of client service and satisfaction, and ability to meet practising certificate, indemnity insurance, and SLCC levy costs. 

Firms can also email their views, and faculties and other groups are invited to set up a video call with the SLCC.

Vicky Crichton, director of public policy at the SLCC, commented: "We’ve already seen helpful data and insight emerge, including from surveys by the Law Society of Scotland and others, on the impact of COVID-19 on the sector. This helps us to track the likely shifts in the shape and health of the sector and predict any consequent impact on complaint numbers.

"We’ve already seen that the impact of COVID-19, and the associated restrictions on business, varies across the legal services sector, and will likely change over time as restrictions and support alter. We’re looking for further insight to help us add to that developing picture. Our planning and forecasting depend on gaining the best information possible from the sector and sector bodies to anticipate what demand for the statutory complaints process will be.

"This intelligence will inform our consultation early next year on detailed budgets and plans, and help to ensure we can deliver the service complainers and the profession rightly expect, while avoiding unnecessary regulatory costs."

Click here for further information and the survey link. The consultation is expected to remain open until the end of October.