Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009

Annual report on admission policies of legal professions.

15.— (1) Not later than 4 months after the end of each financial year, the Legal Services Ombudsman shall prepare and submit to the Minister a report—

(a) specifying the number of persons admitted to practise as barristers and solicitors respectively during that year, and

(b) containing an assessment as to whether, having regard to the demand for the services of practising barristers and solicitors and the need to ensure an adequate standard of education and training for persons admitted to practice, the number of persons admitted to practise as barristers and solicitors in that year is consistent with the public interest in ensuring the availability of such services at a reasonable cost.

(2) The Legal Services Ombudsman shall consult such persons or bodies as the Ombudsman considers appropriate for the purpose of preparing the report referred to in subsection (1).

(3) The Bar Council, the Honorable Society of King’s Inns and the Law Society shall provide the Legal Services Ombudsman with such information in their possession as is required by him or her for the purpose of preparing the report referred to in subsection (1).

(4) As soon as practicable after receiving a report under this section, the Minister shall cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(5) Following compliance with subsection (4), the Legal Services Ombudsman shall arrange for the publication of the report and for it to be sent to the Bar Council and the Law Society.