LAWYERS are ripping off their clients with dodgy billing methods - and Queenslands legal sector watchdog lacks the power to stop them. This lack of teeth seems to be a systemic problem that arose during governments who had a less is more softly softly approach to disciplining and deterring misconduct and illegal activities within a range of industries. Clearly this hasnt worked. Ive got a lovely set of detailed legal accounts from two different firms which demonstrate the impact that one other well known Law firm had whenever they impacted the other two firms. My firms were conservative in their charges. As soon as the other firm was involved the activity level skyrocketed, quite unnecessarily, resulting in an explosion of additional costs. Heaven help the other party who would have received most of the impact of this over servicing tactic. Turns out theyre well known for this behaviour. Theyre also involved in the Ethics Committee in Qld! Now I understand why people say the Legal Services Commission complaints system is a waste of time and utterly frustrating. That was my experience as well: spinning my wheels. Campbell Newman - we need you and your government to attend to this systematic ripping off of law firm clients. Please give the watch dog more teeth, comeasurate with other States if thats appropriate. Softly softly hasnt worked - the result has been catch me if you can which has spread throughout other industries as well. Lawyers need to lift their game - please do whatever is necessary to ensure they get the message. Enough is enough.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 21:35:13 +0000