“WRONG CONDUCT.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 376, 18 March 1932, Page 5

“WRONG CONDUCT.”

i Sydney Divorce Judge Speaks Out. CHARGE AGAINST LAWYERS. (Special to the “Star.”) SYDNEY, March S. Strong comment on the “ highly improper ” conduct of a number of • solicitors in pending divorce suits was i made in the Divorce Court to-day by 1 the Judge in Divorce (Mr Justice , Owen). r It had been reported to him by the sheriff, he said, that for some eonsider--2 able time intending litigants to the T Divorce Court who had been recommended by the Registrar in Divorce to ’ consult certain solicitors, had been 2 diverted by improper means to other i solicitors. , One court attendant had admitted to i the sheriff that money had been offered ; to him on behalf of solicitors to induce intending litigants to place their cases -in the hands of such solicitors, and not 1 to take advantage of the assistance and : advice of the Registrar. 1 Mr Justice Owen stated that for 2 many years it had been the practice - for the Registrar or the Chief Clerk in 1 Divorce to grant interviews to persons l 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 assist* ance 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, t so far as he can ascertain, this im- : proper conduct is- confined to a limited ; number of solicitors. In one case, a : solicitor expressed to the 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 i the assistance of the Registrar, and that any attempt by. or on behalf of solicii tors, to divert such litigants to themselves, will be regarded as most improper, and may involve the solicitors in serious consequences.”