File-sharing lawyers suspended and fined

[Simon]

A pair of lawyers have been fined and suspended for using "distressing" tactics to push accused file-sharers into paying settlements.

Davenport Lyons was one of the first law firms to use so-called "speculative invoicing" - sending letters accusing people of illegal file-sharing, and demanding payments to avoid court action.

After public pressure, Davenport Lyons stopped the letter campaign in 2009, passing it off to another law firm, the now-defunct ACS Law.

The pair of lawyers for Davenport Lyons were initially reported to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in 2008, and faced a hearing earlier this year with the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT).

The SDT found the pair were more concerned with making money for the firm, and disregarded the impact of the letters on those receiving them.

David Gore and Brian Miller, who is no longer with the firm, have both been suspended for three months and fined £20,000 each. They will also jointly have to pay £150,000 in costs.

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/369070/file-sharing-lawyers-suspended-and-fined

[Inkblot]

This has to be good news - I hope the eventual outcome with ACS Law will be similar 

[Rik]

Except he'll claim he's bankrupt. 

[john]

Who's going to believe that a lawyer is bankrupt, oh I forgot it will be another lawyer won't it 

[Rik]

Cynic.

[john]

But you've taught me to be one so well Rik 

[Rik]

  It's my mission in life, John.

[john]

Except he'll claim he's bankrupt. 

He's done exactly that

In mitigation, Mr Crossley said that he had already suffered as a result of the work he had undertaken and was now bankrupt.

[Simon]

Shame. 

[pctech]

His company is probably bankrupt but I'd be willing to bet he has a few bob stashed offshore.

[Simon]

Indeed. 

[Technical Ben]

His company is probably bankrupt but I'd be willing to bet he has a few bob stashed offshore.

You give it to your wife/girlfriend/other account etc and your all fine.

[john]

You give it to your wife/girlfriend/other account etc and your all fine.

He said he was in danger of having his house repossessed and that his 15-year relationship had broken down because of the case.

I hope he has given it all to his wife/ girlfriend etc and she's gone off with it 

[Technical Ben]

Could be john. I've heard stories. They are only stories, but then again, that's how you get away with most of these things. If you tell tall enough ones, people have a difficulty finding the truth (IE where the money is to take it off you). The person I'm thinking of, I was told that they were going bankrupt, then a week after, they went on holiday, got a car, a laptop, Ipod etc. So who do I believe?

Those who really do go bankrupt don't buy things like that. I've seen what a horrible thing it is. Had around 3 family members go through it. But the difference was, they were not lying about it to others as a way of hiding money or getting handouts/sympathy.

[pctech]

I hope he has given it all to his wife/ girlfriend etc and she's gone off with it 

Sounds like my poor window cleaner, his wife not only upped and left him but cleaned out his personal and business account.

[Simon]

That's what you call wrung dry.   

[Lance]

Should have cleaned the windows as he obviously didn't see that coming.

[pctech]