Prohibition on Unsolicited Approaches to Prospective Clients
The Complaints and Client Relations Committee reminds all colleagues that the Solicitors (Advertising) Regulations 2002 prohibit direct unsolicited approaches to any person who is not an existing client, where such an approach is likely to bring the solicitors鈥 profession into disrepute.
The regulations specifically provide that such unsolicited approaches may not be made 鈥渋n, at, or adjacent to a garda station, prison or courthouse鈥.
Any solicitor who approaches a person in the vicinity of a garda station, prison or courthouse with a view to obtaining instructions to provide legal services is in breach of the advertising regulations. The Solicitors Acts provide that a breach of any provision of the Solicitors Acts or regulations made thereunder, constitutes professional misconduct and, consequently, any solicitor who fails to observe the provisions of the regulations is at risk of referral to the disciplinary tribunal.