Complaining about the system — solicitors, judges, Cafcass & the court
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-28
When something has gone wrong, there is a route for each part of the system
1. Complaining about a solicitor
1. The firm's own complaints process first — every firm must have one; write, keep copies 2. Legal Ombudsman — if unresolved in 8 weeks (or you're dissatisfied): resolves service complaints (poor communication, delays, overcharging). Time limits: generally within 1 year of the problem or of the firm's final response. Free. https://www.legalombudsman.org.uk — 0300 555 0333 3. Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — for misconduct (dishonesty, discrimination), not service quality: https://www.sra.org.uk
2. Complaining about a judge's conduct
- Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) — for a judge's personal conduct (rudeness, bias in behaviour), not their legal decisions: https://www.judicialconduct.gov.uk
- Disagreeing with a decision is not conduct — that's an appeal (see our appeals guide)
3. Complaining about Cafcass
1. Cafcass complaints procedure — https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/contact-us — complaints about how an adviser behaved or a report was handled 2. The court can still scrutinise the report — ask the judge to address your complaint points in the case (often more effective than the complaints route alone) 3. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman doesn't cover Cafcass, but your MP can raise systemic issues
4. Complaining about the court/HMCTS
- HMCTS feedback & complaints: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-courts-and-tribunals-service — for administration (listing errors, lost documents, staff conduct), not decisions
- Decisions → appeal. Delays → ask the court for a date / complain if systemic
Keeping perspective
Complaints rarely change the outcome of the case itself — evidence at the hearing does. Use complaints when service was genuinely poor, but never let a complaint replace preparing your evidence. Record dates, names, and what was said every time.
Official links
- Legal Ombudsman: https://www.legalombudsman.org.uk
- JCIO: https://www.judicialconduct.gov.uk
- Cafcass: https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/contact-us
This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with any of these bodies.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.