The Legal Ombudsman has severely criticised unregulated and uninsured legal services providers.

In his first annual report, Adam Sampson complains that the likes of will writers are failing to provide customers with a proper service.

He goes on to say that those providing conveyancing advice and representation at employment tribunals are also falling short.

National legal services provider Access Legal from Shoosmiths, which is regulated by the Law Society, is often called on to sort out the problems caused by unregulated providers.

In the first six months since Legal Ombudsman's office opened in October 2010, around 38,000 complaints have been received concerning legal services.

Of these, a significant number concerned work carried out by unregulated companies with no liability insurance, and over which the Legal Ombudsman has no jurisdiction.

According to Sampson, the result in regard to will writing companies means customers are left with little redress when things go wrong.

"We've seen similar confusion about claims management companies, " he said, "with lots of people believing they're getting a legal service, even though most of the work is carried out by a non-authorised person."

With the implementation of the Legal Services Act now taking place and the imminent deregulation of legal services, Sampson says consumers are now at greater risk than ever of receiving poor service and advice.

Access Legal was launched by national law firm Shoosmiths in 2010 not only as a response to the possibility of so-called 'Tesco law' - making legal services such as will writing more accessible to the public - but also as a quick, cost-effective service that's regulated at all times by the Law Society, and which is fully insured.

Head of Access Legal David Palmer said: "We're deeply troubled by the provision of unregulated legal services, since our legal advisers are often the ones left to sort out the horrendous problems caused by a badly written will or the provision of poor advice. Lengthy and costly litigation is usually the result."

"Making the law as accessible as your local Tesco is to be applauded, but we must remember that clients don't carry a bar code that can be scanned with little training or supervision – understanding, knowledge and proper advice don't come pre-packed on a shelf."

If you've any concerns about legal services you may have been provided with by unregulated companies, such as a will writer, please call our helpline on 03700 868686.

A full list of all services provided by Access Legal from Shoosmiths can be found at www.access-legal.co.uk

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