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Legal Services Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 137XA: 137XA: Clause 140, page 73, line 13, leave out ““may”” and insert ““must”” The noble Lord said: In relation to an earlier amendment, I said that various amendments tabled in a previous sitting postulated an independent reviewer system, the Minister indicated that she thought that the OLC’s proceedings would build in the possibility of an independent reviewer at some point and I indicated that I did not want an automatic assumption of a full-blown appeal system. However, in the circumstances of this clause, it would be useful to provide for an independent reviewer. There may be other such circumstances but in this situation I hope that we can agree to the possibility of an independent review of a decision by the ombudsman not to proceed with a full investigation into the complaint. This challenges a very early decision not to pursue a complainant’s case. Complainants require that protection. In those circumstances, I see a role for the independent reviewer. I beg to move.