Topic: 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

[sam]

Good news.

[Rik]

Not long enough, though.

[Simon]

They probably had a good lawyer. 

[Rik]