Complaints Against Lawyers
I. The types of complaints you can make
II. Understanding the two types of complaints under the Act
| Type of Complaint | Relates to | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Inadequate Professional Services (Section 75B of the Act) | The quality or standard of service provided to you by the lawyer |
Delay in responding to you (the Client) Failure to keep you (the Client) updated Failure to explain risks or costs Failure to complete work within reasonable time |
| Professional Misconduct (Section 85(1) of the Act) | Breaches of professional or ethical obligations by the lawyer | Dishonesty, misuse of client monies, conflict of interest, misleading conduct, breach of professional conduct rules |
III. What the LSS cannot do when you make a complaint
LSS cannot:
- Intervene in any ongoing matters before the Court(s), or any ongoing civil disputes.
- Assist you to write your complaint letter.
- Give guidance on what documents you should submit in support of your complaint.
- Give guidance on whether the documents you have submitted are adequate to support your complaint.
- Give you an opinion or give you guidance about the correctness of the actions of a lawyer, or inform you of whether there is merit to your intended complaint.
- Give you any legal advice, whether on your intended complaint or otherwise.
If you are able to make a complaint under both sections 75B and 85(1) of the Act, LSS cannot advise you on which type of complaint you should make, or whether you should make both types of complaints.
IV. Inadequate Professional Services (Section 75B of the Act)
1. Please read this leaflet for more information.
2. What can I complain about in a complaint of inadequate professional services?
You may make a complaint if you believe that your lawyer has failed to provide you (the “Client”) with adequate professional services, as required by one or more of the following standards (the “Standards”):
- To provide diligent legal service to the Client;
- To ensure as a lawyer he/she is competent to represent the Client;
- To complete work within a reasonable time;
- To keep the Client informed on the progress of the case;
- To promptly acknowledge receipt of client’s money or securities;
- To promptly provide statement of accounts to the Client;
- To promptly respond to the Client’s calls or keep appointments made with the Client;
- To explain to the Client important developments in the Client’s case, such as offers of settlements;
- To explain to the Client the manner in which he/she (the lawyer) would charge for services, explain to the Client payments required to be made, provide an estimate of fees and deliver bills of costs to the Client at regular intervals; and/or
- To discuss with the Client the possible risks or expenses of proceedings arising from the case.
3. Requirements to make a complaint of inadequate professional services (“Requirements”)
- You must be a client of the lawyer.
- The professional services which you are complaining about, must have occurred within the three (3) years before the date of your complaint.
- In your complaint letter, you must categorize your complaint under one (or more) of the Standards, and provide particulars on each Standard you think your lawyer has failed to meet.
- Your complaint must be made against (1) a lawyer who is holding a valid practicing certificate under the Act, OR (2) a solicitor registered to practise Singapore law under section 36E of the Act, at the time that the service was provided to you.
4. How to make a complaint of inadequate professional services
- You are required to submit a signed and dated complaint letter.
- You are encouraged to utilize this Form to prepare your complaint letter.
Additional information
Are you complaining about professional services provided to you more than three (3) years before the date of your complaint?
The LSS is unable to process your complaint of inadequate professional services where you are complaining of events that had occurred more than three (3) years before the date of your complaint.
What happens after LSS receives your complaint of inadequate professional service?
- We will review your complaint letter to ensure that you have complied with the Requirements.
- If any one of the Requirements have not been complied with, we will respond to you to seek your clarification, or further information or documents.
- If the Requirements have been complied with, the complaint may proceed as follows:
- (a) Early Resolution: if you have agreed to opt for Early Resolution with your lawyer, the LSS will give parties a period of time to attempt Early Resolution. The LSS does not intervene or give legal advice where you are unable to reach an amicable resolution with your lawyer via Early Resolution.
- (b) Written response: if you have declined the option of Early Resolution with your lawyer, or if you are unable to reach an amicable resolution with your lawyer, the LSS will request for your lawyer’s written response (the “Written Response”). Your lawyer will be given a minimum of three (3) weeks to provide his Written Response to the complaint. Please note that the LSS shall not extend a copy of the Written Response to you.
- (c) Consideration by IPS Committee and Council: once your lawyer has given his/her Written Response, the complaint and Written Response shall be placed before the Inadequate Professional Services Committee (the “IPS Committee”) for its consideration. The IPS Committee shall consider the Complaint and the Written Response within eight (8) weeks from receipt of the Written Response, and make a recommendation to the Council as to whether the Complaint (or any part thereof) should be referred for inquiry by an Investigative Tribunal.
Who are the members of the IPS Committee?
The members of the IPS Committee 2026 are:
- Liow Wang Wu Joseph (Co-Chairperson)
- Choo Zheng Xi (Co-Chairperson)
- Ramesh S/O Selvaraj
- Khelvin Xu Cunhan
- Phoon Wuei
- Leo Cheng Suan
- Goh Kok Yeow
- Jason Chan Tai-Hui, SC
- Dawn Tan Ly-Ru
What happens if my S75B complaint is referred to an Investigative Tribunal?
You shall be required to
- submit a Statutory Declaration in support of your S75B complaint, if you did not do so earlier; and
- decide if you consent to the mediation of your complaint.
Please read here for any other queries about the Statutory Declaration
Q: What is a Statutory Declaration (“SD”)?
A: An SD is a sworn or affirmed statement stating that the contents of the complaint are true to the best of your knowledge. SDs are governed by the Oaths and Declaration Act 2000.
Q: What is the difference between swearing / taking an oath and affirming a SD?
A: You would swear or take an oath if you are a Christian and where you are a Hindu or a Muslim, or are of another religion, or you have a conscientious objection to taking an oath, you will instead make an affirmation.
Q: Why do I have to make an SD to proceed with my complaint?
A: The requirement for an SD is provided for in the Legal Profession (Inadequate Professional Services Complaint Inquiry) Rules.
Q: Where there is more than one complainant, do each of the complainants need to make a separate SD?
A: More than one complainant may sign on the SD where their complaint is a joint complaint and where the facts of their complaint are the same. Where the facts of each person’s complaint is different and independent of the others, a separate SD should be made for each maker of the complaint.
Q: My company is making the complaint against a lawyer and has authorized me to act on its behalf, do I need to make an SD?
A: You would need to make an SD stating that you are making the complaint as the authorised representative of the company and the facts stated are true to the best of your knowledge.
Q: Where can I make an SD?
A: You may make an SD before a Commissioner for Oaths.
Q: I live overseas and would like to make a complaint, what do I do?
A: If you are in the United Kingdom or any part of the Commonwealth, you would need to make your SD before a notary public, justice of the peace, or other person having authority in that country to take or receive a declaration. If you are not in the Commonwealth, you would need to make your SD before a Consul, Vice Consul, or other person having authority in that country to take or receive a declaration.
Q: I am not able to understand English, can I make the SD in a foreign language?
A: You may inform the Commissioner for Oaths beforehand that you are only able to converse in a certain language and the Commissioner for Oaths will arrange for an interpreter to be present to translate the SD into the language you are familiar with.
Q: How much does it cost to make an SD?
A: A Commissioner for Oaths would charge a fee prescribed by the Singapore Academy of Law in the Commissioner for Oaths rules. You may also wish to check with a Commissioner for Oaths.
Q: How much does it cost to notarise my SD?
A: The costs of notarisation will be in accordance with the rates charged in the country you are located in.
Q: How much does it cost to make an SD if I do not speak English?
A: A Commissioner for Oaths would charge a fee prescribed by the Singapore Academy of Law in the Commissioner for Oaths rules. You may wish to check with a Commissioner for Oaths if additional fees are chargeable for interpretation.
What is the possible outcome of my complaint of inadequate professional services?
Where your complaint has been referred to and inquired into by an Investigative Tribunal, the Council of the LSS may be empowered to issue the following directions (paragraph 2 of the Second Schedule to the Act):
- Determine the costs to which your lawyer is entitled;
- Direct your lawyer to rectify any matter in connection with the subject of your complaint;
- Direct your lawyer to pay such compensation to you as Council sees fit, not exceeding S$10,000.00; and/or
- Direct your lawyer to take such other action in your (the Client) interest.
V. Professional Misconduct (Section 85(1) of the Act)
1. Please read this leaflet for more information.
2. Who can make a complaint of professional misconduct?
Any person can make a complaint of professional misconduct against any lawyer.
3. What can I complain about when making a complaint of professional misconduct?
- Professional misconduct relates to the conduct of a lawyer which is below the standard expected of a member of an honourable profession or an officer of the Supreme Court.
- Examples of professional misconduct include alleged dishonesty, fraud, gross overcharging for work done, making misleading statements, divulging confidential information given by the client to his lawyer, acting in conflict of interest or acting in breach of the Rules.
4. What are the possible outcomes of my complaint of professional misconduct?
- A complaint of professional misconduct will not result in monetary compensation and/or rectification of any issues on your behalf.
- Complaints of professional misconduct are to be inquired into for the purpose of disciplinary action being taken against the lawyer(s) concerned (i.e. fine, reprimand, warning, suspension, striking off).
5. How to make a complaint of misconduct
- You are required to submit a signed and dated complaint letter. You are encouraged to utilize this Form to prepare your complaint letter.
- Your complaint must be supported by a Statutory Declaration. A Statutory Declaration is a sworn or affirmed document made under the Oaths and Declaration Act confirming that statements made in the declaration are true. Making a false declaration may give rise to penalties under the law.
- You are encouraged to attach any supporting documents to your complaint letter.
6. Important points to note:
- If your complaint of professional misconduct relates to the quantum of legal fees charged by your lawyer, you are required to first seek a determination by the Court through taxation of the bill(s) rendered by the lawyer. This requirement was made in a ruling by the Court of 3 Judges. For more information on taxation, please visit this page.
- The LSS’s Mediation Scheme offers a mediation scheme for civil disputes, which you might wish to consider. Please note however, that mediation is only possible and contingent upon the acceptance by the other party.
- Alternatively, you may wish to utilise the Law Society’s Cost Dispute Resolve Scheme, which is set up to settle disputes of costs between a client and lawyer where both parties agree to resolve the issue in a more conciliatory manner.
Additional information
What happens after LSS receives your complaint of professional misconduct?
- We will review your complaint letter to ensure that you have complied with the requirements under section 85 of the Act.
- If the requirements have not been complied with, we will respond to you to seek your clarification, or further information or documents.
- If the requirements have been complied with, the complaint may proceed as follows:
- (a) Referral to Council: your complaint of professional misconduct shall be referred to the Council of the LSS
- (b) Referral to Chairperson of Inquiry Panel: thereafter, the Council will refer your complaint to the Chairperson of the Inquiry Panel, who will appoint a Review Committee to review the complaint and, if necessary, appoint an Inquiry Committee to inquire into the complaint.
- Please note that the Inquiry Panel, Review Committee, and Inquiry Committee are independent of the LSS. The LSS does not participate in the inquiry into your complaint of misconduct. You will be notified of the progress of the inquiry into your complaint in due course.
Are you complaining of matters that occurred more than 6 years prior to your complaint?
- The Council cannot refer a complaint concerning the conduct of a lawyer that happened more than 6 years after the date of the misconduct to the Chairman of the Inquiry Panel without the permission of the High Court.
- If your complaint makes reference to events that happened more than 6 years before your complaint, you are required to state:
- (a) Whether these events are only meant as background information about your complaint; and
- (b) If not, the reasons for your delay in making your complaint.
- If you are complaining of fraud, you are required to state clearly, the earliest date on which you discovered the fraud or could have discovered it with reasonable diligence.
Are you submitting documents in support of your complaint which are not in the English language?
Copies of all necessary documents that support your complaint must be in English. If they are not written in English, you are required to provide a translation in English which shall be taken to be an accurate interpretation of the document. You may subsequently be required to provide an English version of the necessary document that is translated by a certified individual.
Are you submitting audio or video recordings in support of your complaint?
If you are submitting audio and/or video recordings in support of your complaint, you are required to provide a transcription in English. You may subsequently be required to provide a transcription done by a certified individual.
Please read here for any other queries about the Statutory Declaration
Q: What is a Statutory Declaration (“SD”)?
A: An SD is a sworn or affirmed statement stating that the contents of the complaint are true to the best of your knowledge. SDs are governed by the Oaths and Declaration Act 2000.
Q: What is the difference between swearing / taking an oath and affirming a SD?
A: You would swear or take an oath if you are a Christian and where you are a Hindu or a Muslim, or are of another religion, or you have a conscientious objection to taking an oath, you will instead make an affirmation.
Q: Why do I have to make an SD in order to make a complaint of misconduct?
A: All complaints made under section 85(1) of the Act would have to be supported by an SD executed by the maker(s) of the complaint.
Q: Where there is more than one complainant, do each of the complainants need to make a separate SD?
A: More than one complainant may sign on the SD where their complaint is a joint complaint and where the facts of their complaint are the same. Where the facts of each person’s complaint is different and independent of the others, a separate SD should be made for each maker of the complaint.
Q: My company is making the complaint against a lawyer and has authorized me to act on its behalf, do I need to make an SD?
A: You would need to make an SD stating that you are making the complaint as the authorised representative of the company and the facts stated are true to the best of your knowledge.
Q: Where can I make an SD?
A: You may make an SD before a Commissioner for Oaths.
Q: I live overseas and would like to make a complaint, what do I do?
A: If you are in the United Kingdom or any part of the Commonwealth, you would need to make your SD before a notary public, justice of the peace, or other person having authority in that country to take or receive a declaration. If you are not in the Commonwealth, you would need to make your SD before a Consul, Vice Consul, or other person having authority in that country to take or receive a declaration.
Q: I am not able to understand English, can I make the SD in a foreign language?
A: You may inform the Commissioner for Oaths beforehand that you are only able to converse in a certain language and the Commissioner for Oaths will arrange for an interpreter to be present to translate the SD into the language you are familiar with.
Q: How much does it cost to make an SD?
A: A Commissioner for Oaths would charge a fee prescribed by the Singapore Academy of Law in the Commissioner for Oaths rules. You may also wish to check with a Commissioner for Oaths.
Q: How much does it cost to notarise my SD?
A: The costs of notarisation will be in accordance with the rates charged in the country you are located in.
Q: How much does it cost to make an SD if I do not speak English?
A: A Commissioner for Oaths would charge a fee prescribed by the Singapore Academy of Law in the Commissioner for Oaths rules. You may wish to check with a Commissioner for Oaths if additional fees are chargeable for interpretation.
If you have suffered a loss
If you have suffered a financial loss because of the dishonesty of a lawyer or his staff, you may consider applying for a grant for compensation from the Compensation Fund administered by LSS.
Please click here for more information.
VI. Leaflets & Forms
- Guide to Complaint of Inadequate Professional Services (Section 75B of the Act) (PDF)
- Form for Complaint of Inadequate Professional Services (Section 75B of the Act) (Word document)
- Guide to Complaint of Professional Misconduct (Section 85(1) of the Act) (PDF)
- Form for Complaint of Professional Misconduct (Section 85(1) of the Act) (Word document)