Legal Recruitment Blog

Response received from the Solicitors Regulation Authority last week (see my earlier blog entry re reporting a firm of will writers (IWC Limited) masquerading as solicitors through Google AdWords). I am amazed that the contact centre officer has the cheek to apologise for not assuring me the correct action would be taken instead of just simply apologising for misreading an email or generally being somewhat incompetent! I make no apology for printing the email in full - if this is the standard of regulation being applied to advertising by the SRA, what chance does the 'solicitor' brand have of remaining a quality one? Dear Mr Fagan Thank you for your email of 09 February 2011. I apologise if our previous communication did not assure you that correct action would be taken. The matter has been referred to our Fraud Intelligence Unit who will investigate the information that you have provided and will contact you directly with their response. Thank you for contacting The Solicit...

It may be me - I could have completely the wrong body to report matters to, but I recently noticed a will writers firm masquerading as a solicitors practice, and being a responsible citizen, decided to report them, even though they were advertising on Google Adwords and showing on this very site! I completed an Solicitors Regulation Authority enquiry form online, indicated what my query was - ie that IWC Limited were committing a criminal offence (I think?) by calling themselves solicitors when they were not (their advert read Will & Probate Solicitors Low Cost Probate Service Guaranteed Qualified, Friendly Staff, Call Now IWC-LTD.co.uk). In fact for the avoidance of doubt, here is my form! Title: Mr Name: Jonathan Fagan Phone Number: 01352810850 Enquiry: Advert seen on Google Adwords from a company as follows - this company do not appear to be solicitors and hence committing criminal offence. suspect this is your remit? Will (sic) & Probate Solicitors Low Cost Probate Service ...