Chief Ombudsman Elizabeth France is set to become the first chair of the Office of Legal Complaints, it was announced today (10 October).
Legal Services Board (LSB) chair David Edmonds has named France as the Board’s choice for the position at the helm of the OLC, a decision that has been approved by the Lord Chancellor.
France is set to take on the role subject to an appearance before the Justice Selection Committee on 21 October.
The OLC, which will deal with all consumer complaints about legal services as part of the Legal Services Act will come into force in 2010.
France has been chief ombudsman and chief executive of the Ombudsman Services since 2002, dealing with issues related to telecoms, energy chartered surveying and estate agency.
She was also previously the Information Commissioner for eight years, prior to which she served as a civil servant in the Home Office.
Edmonds commented: “Elizabeth has an outstanding record of achievement in consumer protection and redress and will offer the OLC considerable insight and experience.”
He added: “Subject to the Select Committee's approval of Elizabeth's appointment, I look forward to working with her in driving forward the implementation of the OLC and as an immediate priority appointing the rest of the OLC board members.”
The announcement follows the appointment of Chris Kenny as the first chief executive of the LSB earlier this month.
