BIOA members list

There are two categories of membership of the Association, as follows:

‘Voting’ member: an Ombudsman office recognised by the Association as satisfying the Association’s Criteria irrespective of whether or not the term ‘Ombudsman’ is included in the title or description of such office.
‘Corporate Associate’ member: any organisation which, in the opinion of the Executive Committee is interested in and supports the objects of the Association and has significant relevant expertise in complaint handling.

Voting (full) membership of the Association is open to ombudsman schemes which meet the published criteria for recognition attached to BIOA's rules (essentially: independence of the Ombudsman from those whom the Ombudsman has the power to investigate; effectiveness; fairness and public accountability). The word “ombudsman” does not have to appear in the title of the scheme.

To find an ombudsman or complaints-handling organisation:

or browse the A-Z list of BIOA members:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Law Society of Ireland Blackhall Place, Dublin 7, , Tel: + 353 01 672 4800 Fax: + 353 01 672 4895 general@lawsociety.ie website Jurisdiction: Republic of Ireland Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body	The Society may investigate complaints against solicitors made by or on behalf of clients alleging inadequate professional services, execssive fees or misconduct.

Law Society of Scotland, Client Relations Office 26 Drumsheugh Gardens, , Edinburgh, EH3 7YR Tel: 0845 113 0018 Fax: 0131-226 7884 cro@lawscot.org.uk website Jurisdiction: Scotland Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body	is responsible for dealing with complaints made both by solicitors and members of the public about the conduct of solicitors and the service provided by them. Complaints investigations are carried out in writing and the leaflet "Dissatisfied with your Solicitor?" which is available from the Client Relations Office and is on the Law Society of Scotland website gives details of the procedures for making a complaint. The leaflet "Dissatisfied with your Solicitor?" is also available from the Client Relations Office in a number of other languages.

Lay Observer for Northern Ireland 21 Chichester Street, Belfast, , BT1 4JJ Tel: 028 9024 5028 Fax: 028 9025 1944 alasdair.maclaughlin@nics.gov.uk website Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body	monitors complaints made by members of the public to the Law Society of Northern Ireland about the conduct of solicitors and the manner in which the complaints are dealt with by the Society. He also considers allegations made by individuals who are not satisfied with the Law Society's handling of complaints.

Legal Complaints Services Victoria Court 8 Dormer Place, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 5AE Tel: 01926 820082 Fax: 01926 431435 enquiries@legalcomplaints.org.uk website Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Associate, Complaint-Handling Body	is responsible for investigating complaints about the conduct and service of solicitors in England and Wales and for regulating solicitors' practices. It also administers the Law Society's Remuneration Certificates department, which carries out free of charge reviews of solicitors' charges, and the Compensation Fund.

Legal Services Ombudsman 3rd Floor Sunlight House, Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3JZ Tel: 0161 839 7262 Lo-call 0845 6010794 Fax: 0161 832 5446 DX 18569 Manchester 7 lso@olso.gsi.gov.uk website Jurisdiction: England & Wales Category: Law BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full)	oversees the handling of complaints about solicitors, barristers, licensed conveyancers, legal executives and patent agents by the professional bodies responsible for setting and maintaining standards within the legal profession in England and Wales. Complainants must first refer their complaint to the relevant professional body before approaching the Ombudsman.

Local Government Ombudsman Millbank Tower, Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP Tel: 020 7217 4620 Lo-call 0845 602 1983 Fax: 020 7217 4621 enquiries@lgo.org.uk website Jurisdiction: England Category: Government BIOA Membership Type: Voting (Full)	There are three for England and previously one each for Scotland and Wales, although the latter two have been replaced with Public Services Ombudsmen for each country. They investigate complaints against principal councils (not town, parish or community councils) and certain other bodies in England. By law, some kinds of complaint cannot be considered. Examples are personnel complaints and complaints about the internal running of schools.