Civil Judgment against solicitor question

Grawns

Would there be any reason that a solicitor who owned his own practice wouldn't be able to practice if they had a judgment against them and they were slow to pay. Would the law society care?

I'm figuring the answer is no. This is purely theoretical.

juke

Well they do care, to the extent that when a solicitor applies to have their practicing certificate renewed every year in January, they have to tell the law society if any judgements were given against them and whether any remain unpaid.

What step the law society takes, if a judgement remains unpaid, I don't know. I have no reason to think they don't take it very seriously.

If I obtained a judgement against a solicitor personally, and if the solicitor hadn't paid me by, say, December, I would write to the Law Society and let them know.

Delancey

Be aware also that a solicitor who is declared bankrupt cannot practice. There is a well-known Disrict Court Judge this happened to early in his legal career - he was made bankrupt and had to cease work , after several years his bankruptcy was lifted and he resumed practice and ultimately was elevated to the Bench.

Grawns

Thanks guys - All very interesting

Goesague

delancey42 wrote: »

Be aware also that a solicitor who is declared bankrupt cannot practice. There is a well-known Disrict Court Judge this happened to early in his legal career - he was made bankrupt and had to cease work , after several years his bankruptcy was lifted and he resumed practice and ultimately was elevated to the Bench.

That is no longer the case. An English solicitor was declared bankrupt and allowed to practise, because it would have been contrary to European law.

Delancey

Goesague wrote: »

That is no longer the case. An English solicitor was declared bankrupt and allowed to practise, because it would have been contrary to European law.

Very interesting - I was not aware of this , thanks.