Hybrid Complaints

Hybrid Complaints, Both Service and Conduct

Where, in the opinion of the Complaints Officer, aservice complaint appears to raise issues in relation to the barrister’s conduct or that a conduct complaint should properly be categorised as a service complaint the Complaints Officer will take the following steps:

The PCC will consult, co-operate and liaise with the SCRC, through the Complaints Officer, and keep the SCRC regularly updated in relation to the progress of its consideration of the conduct aspect of the complaint.

• In the case of a conduct only complaint: refer the complaint immediately to the Professional Conduct Committee of the Bar Council to deal with the complaint in accordance with the PCC Conduct Rules,
• In the case of a complaint involving both service and conduct issues, refer the complaint immediately to the PCC to deal with any apparent conduct issues in accordance with the PCC Conduct Rules and in parallel refer the complaint to the SCRC to deal with the service aspects of the complaint in accordance with their procedure.

The Complaints Officer will ensure that the complainant and the barrister are informed of any reference to the SCRC and/or the PCC and are kept informed of the progress of the SCRC and PCC procedures.