How can I find out if this person is really a qualified solicitor?

DubArk

This question may have been asked many times so excuse me if this is the case.
Background to Question.
I was recently introduced to (someone) who was introduced to me in a pub as a solicitor in the Dublin area. On introduction they revealed they had worked on behalf of acquaintances of mine. I thought it odd at the time, they would reveal past clients names and their business in such an open forum. Since then there have been so many inconsistencies.
My worry is that they are now giving legal advice to friends of mine who seem to be handing over confidential information with out checking if this person’ credentials are in fact true. I have checked their name in the Irish Law Society Web but nothing, in fact I can’t find anything negative or positive about this person, it’s as if they don’t exist.
To my knowledge no monies have exchanged hands but a considerable amount of confidential information has.

How can I find out if this person is really a qualified solicitor?

FreudianSlippers

I think the Law Society has a list... a solicitor will be better placed to answer this for you though.

blueythebear

DubArk wrote: »

This question may have been asked many times so excuse me if this is the case.
Background to Question.
I was recently introduced to (someone) who was introduced to me in a pub as a solicitor in the Dublin area. On introduction they revealed they had worked on behalf of acquaintances of mine. I thought it odd at the time, they would reveal past clients names and their business in such an open forum. Since then there have been so many inconsistencies.
My worry is that they are now giving legal advice to friends of mine who seem to be handing over confidential information with out checking if this person’ credentials are in fact true. I have checked their name in the Irish Law Society Web but nothing, in fact I can’t find anything negative or positive about this person, it’s as if they don’t exist.
To my knowledge no monies have exchanged hands but a considerable amount of confidential information has.

How can I find out if this person is really a qualified solicitor?

If you can get your hands on a Law Drectory you could confirm if he is a solicitor as it contains a list of currently practising solicitors in the State.

Alternatively, you could try ringing up the Law Society and see if they would confirm it yes or no. I'm not sure if they will confirm it or not over the phone though.

If you could find out the name of the firm he works for, you could check that firms website that may contain a profile of the solicitors that work for the firm.

coylemj

1. Is he in the Golden Pages under solicitors?

2a. Does he operate from an office with a plate outside declaring that he is a solicitor or..

2b. Does he work in an established firm of solicitors?

3. When your friends deal with him as a legal adviser, do they do so in a public place (e.g. pub/coffee shop) or their own homes or where do they meet him?

angelfire9

coylemj wrote: »

1. Is he in the Golden Pages under solicitors?

2a. Does he operate from an office with a plate outside declaring that he is a solicitor or..

2b. Does he work in an established firm of solicitors?

3. When your friends deal with him as a legal adviser, do they do so in a public place (e.g. pub/coffee shop) or their own homes or where do they meet him?

Out of curiousity
What is to stop someone in a private house converting lets say a granny flat into a set of offices and putting a nice brass plaque on the wall with their name Joe Bloggs BA LLB on it and "solicitor" underneath without joe having actually done any legal exams except for those his degree required i.e. no FE1's or PPC

coylemj

blueythebear wrote: »

If you can get your hands on a Law Drectory you could confirm if he is a solicitor as it contains a list of currently practising solicitors in the State.

Alternatively, you could try ringing up the Law Society and see if they would confirm it yes or no. I'm not sure if they will confirm it or not over the phone though.

I know there are amending acts but the Solicitors Act 1954 states that the roll/register of solicitors be available for public inspection without fee. I'd say if you phoned the Law Society and asked about inspecting the roll as is your right (see S.9 below), they should point you in the right direction.

8.—(1) There shall be a registrar of solicitors (in this Act referred to as the registrar).
(2) The Society shall appoint their secretary or some other suitable person to be the registrar.
(3) The registrar shall be appointed on such terms and conditions, and with such emoluments (if any) payable out of the funds of the Society, as the Society determines.
(4) The Society may remove the registrar from office.
(5) The Society may appoint a deputy to act as the registrar for a period and the functions of the registrar shall be performed by the deputy during that period.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1954/en/act/pub/0036/sec0008.html#sec8

9.—(1) The registrar shall maintain an alphabetical list of solicitors (in this Act referred to as the roll).
(2) The registrar shall keep the roll available for public inspection during office hours without payment.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1954/en/act/pub/0036/sec0009.html#sec9

littlemac1980

55.—(1) An unqualified person shall not act as a solicitor.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section shall, without prejudice to any other liability or disability to which he may be subject, be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable—

(a) on conviction thereof on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or, at the discretion of the Court, to a fine not exceeding two hundred pounds or to both such fine and such imprisonment, or

(b) on summary conviction thereof, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or, at the discretion of the Court, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section in relation to a court of justice shall also be guilty of contempt of that court and shall be punishable accordingly.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1954/en/act/pub/0036/print.html#sec55

newmug

Is there any similar protection for engineers? It angers me so much that illiterate metal workers sometimes call themselves "engineers" when I did a 4 year engineering degree and actually know what I'm doing:mad:

Carawaystick

Chartered engineer

nuac

Sadly there is no protection for engineers. Anybody can set up in practice as an engineer. Only sanctionthat I am aware of is that lending institutions wont accept an engineers certificate unless there is PI cover. Getting that could be problem if not properly qualified.

Arcjhitects got statutory protection in 2007 only/

Our man in Havana

It is the same with loads of professions such as electricians for example. Anyone can hold themselves up as an electrician without having any formal qualifications.

DubArk

coylemj wrote: »

1. Is he in the Golden Pages under solicitors?
No

2a. Does he operate from an office with a plate outside declaring that he is a solicitor or..
Outside in Pubs from what i can see.
2b. Does he work in an established firm of solicitors?
No.

3. When your friends deal with him as a legal adviser, do they do so in a public place (e.g. pub/coffee shop) or their own homes or where do they meet him?

A public place

Thanks for all you help...... I was away and only just saw all your replies and will take your advice on board. Thank you