Whilst the Legal Ombudsman has a useful role to play, the problem with complaining to the legal ombudsman is that often the process is so lengthy that by the time it has concluded a client has lost his automatic right to challenge his solicitor’s bill under the Solicitors Act 1974.

It is also disappointing to note that there is still no reference to client's rights under the Solicitors Act 1974 on the Legal Ombudsman's website.