Why Does Solicitors from Hell Exist?


(thanks to John Bolch of Family Lore)

There are 45 comments on the state of Rick Kordowski and his website Solicitors from Hell on a page detailing a judge's latest suggestion about what should happen to Kordowski. It seems the judge suggested that the Law Society and the Bar Council should consider taking action against the website. To that end they have consulted Hugh Tomlinson QC (Mr SuperInjunction--much beloved by footballers who can't make up their minds about which sleeping partner is au courant) of Matrix Chambers. A class action might be in the wind. It better stay there. Kordowski has no money. And maybe it's the clients' fault.

I was put in mind of this when reading an article by Simon Jenkins in the Guardian with the strap line: "The higher civil service, once the government's purring Rolls-Royce, has been taken for a joy-ride by the great professions." He follows this with Shaw's aphorism, "All professions are conspiracies against the laity." All the radical changes promoted by the UK government are being thwarted by self-interested professionals.

Doctors object to changes that would privatize the National Health Service, lawyers object to the huge proposed reductions in legal aid that would leave many without legal remedy, teachers and lecturers object to evisceration of schools and colleges. Jenkins is unable to discern other motives for their actions. Oh well, let him witter.

Richard Moorhead's recent report on the YouGov research for the Legal Services Board on legal complaints showed there was a sizeable proportion of complainants, around 33% of respondents. And most of those were to do with delay and poor service. In other words lawyers must do better. Until they do, websites like Solicitors from Hell will persist as well as individual ones (eg. www.cwd-critic.com). It doesn't matter how badly written they may be, they nevertheless express an exasperation, a frustration that must be dealt with. Their complacency will begin to disappear when competition hots up later in the year.


Comments

Anonymous said…
Someone in Northern Ireland has taken up a practical approach. A web site "legalvictims.co.uk" is going online later this week. It has material prepared by an ex so;icitor-advocate and an academic with a series of downloadable documents on "how to". The first is for Northern Ireland clients -- "How to dispute a solicitor's bill."
John Flood said…
This sounds like an eminently good move.
pirate said…
And back again http://www.solicitorsfromhell.net/index.php