Consumers complaining about inadequate service from solicitors, will be able to win back up to £15,000 in compensation without having to go to court, under new rules announced yesterday.

The increase, announced by the Department for Constitutional Affairs, represents a tripling of the current £5,000 compensation limit and will come into effect next month. Awards are made under the consumer complaints service run by the Law Society, which represents solicitors in England and Wales, and are designed to cover compensation for the stress, inconvenience and financial loss caused by poor service. The limit on awards was raised from £1,000 to £5,000 in 2000. Yesterday, Bridget Prentice, legal services minister, said that at present consumers who had a serious complaint against a solicitor were forced to go back to court if they wanted compensation in excess of £5,000.