Leading law firm in touting test case

A report in The Mercury says the application by the Law Society will be a test of its rules and code of ethics and could ultimately affect the way attorneys do business. The names of the law firm and attorneys involved in the application are being withheld because they have not yet filed any papers but will do so soon. However, the report notes, it is apparent from documents filed that they will oppose the application. They have been candid with the Law Society about the way they have been conducting their business and believe they have done nothing wrong. In an affidavit, Alfred Collen Rees, the Law Society’s head of Regulatory Affairs, said the application was broadly about the relationships the law firm had with estate agents and mortgage originators, ‘which the society contends are improper and unprofessional and its manner of securing work from them objectionable’. Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed)