Explanatory note

This Order brings into force on 1st November 2003 provisions in the Access to Justice Act 1999 (c. 22) relating to the funding of the Legal Services Ombudsman by professional bodies and the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner. Section 50 of the 1999 Act amends paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41) to enable the Secretary of State to require any professional body to make payments to the Ombudsman towards meeting the expenditure incurred by him in the discharge of his functions. The other provisions enable the Secretary of State to appoint a Legal Services Complaints Commissioner (section 51) and direct him to exercise some or all of his powers under section 52(1) of the 1999 Act.