The Legal Services Consumer Panel has published the results of a survey showing that public trust in lawyers has dropped from 47% to 43%. The Law Society has expressed concern and called on the profession and the Legal Services Board to act to halt the fall.
Considering this called to mind a recent experience whilst having a trim at the barbers when I was distracted by an advert on a local radio station. Introduced by a juvenille jingle, a firm of personal injury solicitors screamed at listeners offering a sizeable cash incentive in return for instructions.
The lady cutting my hair told me she didn’t think it was right, whilst the owner jokingly asked if I had ever done a similar ad. For a fleeting moment I was embarrassed to be a member of my profession. Based on the response of those in the barber shop alone the advert appeared to damage trust in the legal profession.
Some solicitors in their quest for profit are engaged in a race to the bottom. Unfortunately when they crash not only is the whole profession wounded but public confidence in the civil justice system is too. So far regulators have declined to act, but I wonder if the worrying results of this survey might provide the catalyst for change?
Some solicitors in their quest for profit are engaged in a race to the bottom. Unfortunately when they crash not only is the whole profession wounded but public confidence in the civil justice system is too. So far regulators have declined to act, but I wonder if the worrying results of this survey might provide the catalyst for change?
This article appeard in the Liverpool Post on 14th June 2012, follow link here: http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/ldpbusiness/business-local/2012/06/14/public-trust-in-lawyers-is-being-damaged-by-the-quest-for-profit-99623-31175877/
