Legal Services Bill [HL]

I am, once again, most grateful to the noble Baroness and to all noble Lords and noble and learned Lords who have spoken in this debate. I note that both the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford, and the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss, drew an important link between this amendment and the previous issue of the relevant upper limit for compensation. I am sure that the noble Baroness will bear that matter in mind. I also took heart from the noble Baroness’s undertaking that there would indeed be an internal system of review of decisions made by the OLC. One issue that influenced my view that the system was probably not compliant with Article 6.1 was my understanding, from subsection (11), that the ombudsman’s decision would be binding in subsequent disciplinary proceedings. The noble Baroness has expressed the view that this is not so. To that extent, I gain some relief about the absence of an appeal system to the High Court. Nevertheless, I would like to reflect on this matter before deciding whether to bring it back on Report. Meanwhile, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 135 had been withdrawn from the Marshalled List.] [Amendments Nos. 135A and 135B not moved.] [Amendments Nos. 136 and 136A had been withdrawn from the Marshalled List.] Clause 137 agreed to.