Complaints Procedure

Updated March 2026

  1. Ms Fadipe is committed to providing a high standard of service. However, if you have a complaint, you are encouraged to raise it as soon as possible. You are not required to instruct a solicitor in order to make a complaint.

  2. Complaints should be made within one year from the date of the act or omission complained of, or from the date when you reasonably became aware of the issue.

  3. The Legal Ombudsman, an independent complaints body, can investigate complaints from consumers about the service they received from a DSC barrister. Helpful information about the Legal Ombudsman complaints process is available on its website: www.legalombudsman.org.uk/how-we-work/consumer-journey/. You should raise your complaint with Ms Fadipe, before going to the Legal Ombudsman. Non-clients who are not satisfied with the outcome of Ms Fadipe’s investigation should contact the Bar Standards Board, rather than the Legal Ombudsman.

  4. Please note that it may not be possible for Ms Fadipe to investigate a complaint made by a non-client. This is because the ability of Ms Fadipe satisfactorily to investigate and resolve such matters is limited and such complaints are often better suited to the disciplinary processes maintained by the Bar Standards Board. Ms Fadipe will make an initial assessment of the complaint and, if it appears to DSC that the issues raised cannot be satisfactorily resolved through the Ms Fadipe complaints process, Ms Fadipe will refer the complainant to the Bar Standards Board.

  5. Please note also that you may wish to consider alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Neither the complainant nor the barrister complained about is required to use ADR. A list of ADR bodies is available here: www.tradingstandards.uk/consumer-help/adr-approved-bodies/. We would be happy to discuss this option further with you, should you wish to consider it. Going to ADR would not affect your right to raise a complaint with the Legal Ombudsman.

  6. We would encourage you to speak initially on the telephone about your complaint. We would like to see if we can resolve your complaint with you (at an early and informal stage). Also, we are able to assist you if you feel you need help in formulating your complaint. Please email Ms Fadipe at onlyoneadeola@outlook.com.

  7. You are welcome to put your complaint in writing, before speaking to Ms Fadipe about it. If you prefer to speak to someone first, then the person you contact will make a note of the details of your complaint and what you would like to have done about it. The next step will be for your concerns to be discussed informally then or on a subsequent call (or calls), with an aim to resolve them satisfactorily. If the matter is resolved, the outcome will be recorded. We will check that you are satisfied with the outcome and record that you are satisfied. You may also wish to record the outcome of the telephone discussion in writing.

  8. If we have not been able to reach an informal resolution with you through speaking on the telephone, or if you prefer to proceed with your complaint without having such informal telephone discussions, then you will need to put your complaint in writing.

Raising a Complaint
You are encouraged, where possible, to raise your concerns initially by telephone or email so that an early and informal resolution can be explored. If the matter cannot be resolved informally, or if you would prefer, you may submit your complaint in writing.

When making a written complaint, please provide:

  • Your name and contact details;

  • Details of the complaint, including what has occurred;

  • Copies of any relevant documents; and

  • The outcome you are seeking.

Please provide all information (including copy documents or other material) that is relevant to your complaint with your written complaint.

Investigation Process
Written complaints will be acknowledged within five working days where possible. Your complaint will be investigated thoroughly and you may be asked to provide further information to assist in this process.

A written response will normally be provided within eight weeks of receipt of your complaint. If, due to exceptional circumstances, this timeframe cannot be met, you will be informed and given an updated timescale.

The written response will set out:

  • The nature and scope of the investigation;

  • The conclusions reached; and

  • Any proposed resolution, where appropriate.

Confidentiality and Records
All complaints are handled confidentially. Records of complaints and related correspondence are retained for six years in accordance with professional obligations.

External Complaints
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, you may be able to refer your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman, an independent body that deals with complaints about legal services. Complaints must usually be referred to the Legal Ombudsman within the time limits set out above and on their website. The Legal Ombudsman is generally not able to consider your complaint until it has first been investigated by Ms Fadipe.

You can write to them at:

Legal Ombudsman PO Box 6806

Wolverhampton

WV1 9WJ

Or telephone on:

0300 555 0333

Or Email on: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk

See: www.legalombudsman.org.uk/contact-us/

In certain circumstances, particularly where the complainant is not a client or where the complaint raises regulatory concerns, the matter may be referred to the Bar Standards Board.

Complaints to the Bar Standards Board

If you are not Ms Fadipe’s client and are unhappy with the outcome of the investigation then please contact the Bar Standards Board.

You can write to them at:

Bar Standards Board

Professional Conduct Department 289-293 High Holborn

London WC1V 7JZ

Or telephone on:

0207 6111 444

Or visit their website on:

www.barstandardsboard.org.uk