To ask the Minister of Finance for his assessment of the implementation of the Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (NI) 2016, in particular with regards to the establishment of complaints committees to deal with issues of, and provide compensation for, professional negligence.

The Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (NI) 2016 (the ‘Act’) provided for the establishment of the post of Legal Services Oversight Commissioner. Ms Marian Cree was appointed to this role for a three year term on 3rd April 2017 and I extended that appointment for a second term in April 2020. Ms Cree continues to work, whilst also performing the role of Lay Observer, with my Department, the Law Society and Bar Council towards the full implementation of the Act’s provisions, the legislation for which will be subject to Assembly scrutiny, including the establishment of complaints committees.