The Legal Ombudsman’s office has appointed a second leader to fill the gap left by former chief executive Adam Sampson.

Kathryn King has been promoted from head of customer experience to the role of interim chief legal ombudsman.

She will join Ian Brack, interim chief executive, in the leadership of the legal complaints-handler.

Sampson, who left in November after a dispute over his travel expenses, previously held both chief legal ombudsman and chief executive roles.

The Legal Ombudsman’s office confirmed to the Gazette last week that Sampson is still being paid by the organisation, which is funded by contributions from lawyers, but refused to give any further details.

The search continues for a permanent replacement, likely to be announced this spring, although it is unknown whether the roles will continue to be split.

King’s brief will be as the ultimate decision-maker on remedies for complaints about lawyers, while Brack is working on the administrative side of managing the organisation.

Prior to joining the LeO King was head of policy and research at the Local Government Ombudsman, where she advised on policy, strategy and external positioning, and assistant adjudicator at the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education.

Chair of the board, Steve Green, said: ‘Kathryn has demonstrated her insight, knowledge and analysis of the Legal Ombudsman’s current situation and challenges.

‘She also has a wide range of experience from other ombudsman schemes and employers and is keen to learn and make a difference to the organisation.’

The LeO has pledged to publish a full report into the dispute that led to the resignation of Sampson.

The organisation’s first ever leader denied any wrongdoing over £20,000 claimed over the course of five years for work trips to London from his office in Birmingham.