Recruitment begins for a Legal Services Oversight Commissioner

Thursday 20 November 2025

The way in which complaints against members of the legal profession are handled is changing, to be led by lay people rather than legal professionals themselves. An exciting opportunity now exists to be at the forefront of that change, in the role of Legal Services Oversight Commissioner.

The Commissioner will oversee complaints handling systems and have a statutory consultative role in relation to other aspects of regulation. That includes inputting to all new rules or regulations made by the Law Society or the Council of the Bar, and acting on Departmental requests to examine any matter relating to the regulation or organisation of the relevant professions.

The Department of Finance, in consultation with the Lady Chief Justice, is now seeking to identify a person for appointment as the Commissioner.

Please note that under the terms of the Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (NI) 2016, the appointee must not be, and must never have been, a solicitor or barrister.

This is a part time appointment, with a commitment envisaged to be between 2 and 3 days per week. The term of appointment will be for a period of 3 years, starting on the date of appointment.

For more detailed information on the role and person specification, please see here!

Thursday 20 November 2025