(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
38.
+
The Law Society submits quarterly reports on the progress and effectiveness of the inspectorate system to the Administration. The first progress report was submitted at the end of March 1995.
The Working Party on Touting and Commission- taking in Criminal Defence Work reviews the effectiveness of the inspectorate system on a regular basis. I chair the Working Party which comprises representatives of the Law Society, the Bar Association, the Independent Commission Against Corruption ("ICAC") and my Chambers.
The general public are encouraged by the Law Society as well as by the Administration (e.g. through the recently published Consultation Paper on Legal Services) to report cases of touting and commission-taking and any malpractices within the legal profession to the Law Society and the Administration.
At the suggestion of the Administration, the Law Society recently set up a Working Party to consider the problem of touting and commission-taking in conveyancing matters. The Administration is determined to combat touting and commission-taking in this area. Representatives of the ICAC and my Chambers have been invited to attend meetings of the Working Party and to participate in the discussion of measures to tackle the problem. It is envisaged that the Working Party will submit its report to the Law Society's Council for consideration before the end of this
year.
These arrangements provide regular and comprehensive monitoring of the effectiveness of the inspectorate system in tackling the problem of touting and commission-taking not only in criminal defence work but also in conveyancing matters. In order to ensure the success of the inspectorate system we also need the co-operation of lawyers and consumers of legal services to come forward and report cases of touting and commission-taking and any other malpractices of lawyers and their employees.