January 11, 2006

Solicitors face discipline over fees charged

IRELAND
Irish Post

A DOZEN firms of solicitors are facing a formal disciplinary inquiry over allegations they overcharged clients who received awards because of institutional abuse in Ireland.

The Law Society of Ireland this week confirmed it has referred 12 different legal practices to an independent disciplinary tribunal arising out of complaints from 22 individuals who were former residents of industrial schools.

Law Society director general Ken Murphy said a total of 162 complaints had been received to date.

But he stressed the number of solicitors referred to the disciplinary tribunal represented just over one-inevery 200 cases which had come before the Residential Institutions Redress Board.

The independent disciplinary tribunal can impose a range of sanctions including fines, suspensions and striking off from the profession if it finds misconduct.

Posted by kshaw at January 11, 2006 05:56 PM