Warning on legal con jobs

GOLD Coast residents desperate for legal help are being warned about taking advice from an increasing number of fraudsters posing as lawyers on the internet.

Queensland Law Society president Christine Smyth has issued the warning after lawyers became increasingly concerned about consumers opting for “cheap” or “free” legal advice from the internet.

“Beware of fraudsters who claim to be able to give legal advice,” she said. “There seems to be a growing number of armchair experts who are giving legal advice and services against the law.

“In Queensland a solicitor must hold a practising certificate to be allowed to give advice and anyone who wants to make sure their representative is certified can do so by contacting the Queensland Law Society or via its website.”

Ms Smyth pointed to the case of man on the Coast convicted of illegally engaging in legal practice on 12 occasions in 2013 and 2014.

During a two-day trial last year, the Brisbane Magistrates Court was told Jacob Reichman intervened in police interviews with “clients” and failed to correct officers who assumed he was a solicitor.

In one of the cases, a man pleaded guilty to one charge of maintaining a sexual relationship with a child who would later become his wife.

The man later gave evidence that he entered the plea because he believed he had no choice after the advice of Reichman.

Reichman was fined $1000 and ordered to pay professional costs of $1000 and $83.50 for filing fees but had no conviction recorded.

Ms Smyth told the Bulletin: “There have been others in the past who advised on matters such as divorce and family violence. These parties were also fined and ordered to pay costs”.

Ms Smyth said there were major pitfalls in engaging an unqualified adviser.

“Having a qualified, educated and informed lawyer on your side will only assist you in your matter, whereas an unqualified party will often cause you more trouble including higher costs,” she said.