Lack of professional standards of lawyers

In 1991, the UK legal services ombudsman found in favour of about one third of 1,200 complainants against the legal profession. More than 90% of the cases involved criticisms of the profession's own self-regulatory body, the Solicitor's Complaints Bureau. Common complaints about solicitors were delays, lack of information, failure to reply to letters and disregards for instructions. Criticism of barristers were excessive zeal in procuring a last-minute settlement, apparent insensitivity and inattentiveness to the lay client's concerns, and lack of confidentiality in negotiation with an opponent. Legal practitioners also often ignored professional guidelines calling on them to be open with clients about their their fees.