JUDGE’S STRICTURES

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1932, Page 6

JUDGE’S STRICTURES

IMPROPER CONDUCT.

CHARGE AGAINST LAWYERS

SYDNEY March 21

Strong comment on the “highly improper’’ conduct of a number of solicitors in pending divorce suits was made in the Divorce Court to-day by the Judge in Divorce (Mr Justice Owen).

It had been reported to him by the sheriff, he said, that for some considerable time intending litigants to the Divorce Court who had been rocommended by the Registrar in Divorce to consult certain solicitors, had been diverted by improper means to other solicitors.

One court attendant had admitted to the slier iff that money had been offered to him on behalf of solicitors to induce intending ligitants to place their cases in the hands of such solicitors, and not to take advantage’ of the assistance and advice of the Registrar. Mr Justice Owen stated that for many years it had been the practice for the Registrar or the Chief Clerk in Divorce to grant interviews to persons in humble circumstances who were seeking the relief of the courts. In the case of a woman, if the Registrar was satisfied that she was unable to afford to the usual legal expenses and had no expectation of obtaining assistance from her husband, she was recommended to consult one of a number of solicitors who had generously stated their willingness to undertake the conduct of such cases for a small sum. “In this way,” said the Judge, “if a woman acts on this recommendation she is enabled to obtain relief at very small cost to herself. The Judge then referred to the “improper conduct of solicitors. “The sheriff,” he said, ‘‘reports that, ,so far as he can ascertain, this ! improper conduct is confined to a limited number of solicitors. In one case, a solicitor expressed to tbe sheriff his regret that a clerk in his office had, without the solicitor’s knowledge, acted in this manner, but that such clerk was no longer in his employment. “I am calling attention to these matters so that it may be made plain to the public and to the solicitors that the Court is determined that litigants shall not be prevented from obtaining the assistance of the Registrar, and that any attempt by, or on behalf of solicitors to divert such litigants to themselves, will be regarded as most improper, and involve the solicitors in serious consequences.