Turks & Caicos Islands Bar Association

Complaint Form

Information Sheet

What Type of complaints will the Turks & Caicos Islands Bar Council deal with?

The Turks & Caicos Islands Bar Council (“TCIBC”) is the regulatory body for the legal profession in the Turks & Caicos Islands (“TCI”). The TCIBC has authority to review the conduct and competence of attorneys practicing in the TCI, including attorneys in private practice, or employed in a private establishment in the islands, or employed as a law officer in the public service of the islands. The TCIBC can also review the conduct of an attorney outside practice of law if the conduct reflects badly on the legal profession.

We cannot help you with all of your concerns. For example the Turks & Caicos Bar Council is not able to assist in the following matters:

• We cannot provide you with legal advice, you will need to refer your matter to an attorney.
• We cannot intervene in, or change, the decision of a court.
• We cannot intervene in or delve into merits of ongoing legal proceedings.
• We cannot review complaints about Judges.
• We cannot insist that an attorney take a case, remain on or withdraw from a case or do something specific in a case.
• We cannot reduce your fees. If you believe the fees charged by your attorney were not reasonable please contact the Supreme Court Registrar. For more information please visit the TCI Bar Association website at tciba.tc.
• We cannot pay you money or make an attorney pay you money because of an attorney’s mistake. If you believe an attorney has made a mistake concerning your matter you may wish to seek legal advice about your remedies.

What can you do prior to lodging a complaint?

If you have questions or concerns about your attorney’s conduct, a good first step is to talk to your attorney or another member of the attorney’s firm. Misunderstanding can arise because of a lack of communication. You may be able to resolve the matter by simply discussing your concerns. If you are unable to reach a resolution, or if you are concerned about an attorney other than your own, you may then wish to contact the TCIBC.

What about confidentiality of your complaint?

The TCIBC cannot guarantee the information that you or any other person has provided will remain confidential because:

• The TCIBC will need to share some (or all) of the information and copies of documents received from you (and any other person) with the attorney complained about;
• The TCIBC may at its discretion communicate with any third party who may have relevant information concerning the matter(s) raised in your complaint.

What does the Turks and Caicos Islands Bar Council need you to do?

Complete and sign the Complaint Form then attach all documents that are relevant to your complaint. You should then send the completed form with copies of documents to:

The Secretary
Turks & Caicos Islands Bar Council
Turks & Caicos Islands

You should also scan and email the completed form and documents to secretary@tcibc.org

What happens next?

After receiving your complaint we will send you confirmation of receipt via email. Your complaint will then be reviewed and may be assigned to one of our staff attorneys who will keep you informed about the status of your complaint.