Solicitors from Hell owner launches £1m defamation claim against Law Soc CEO
The fight between the Law Society and Solicitors from Hell website owner Rick Kordowski has taken a further twist with Kordowski launching a defamation claim against Law Society chief executive Des Hudson.
Law Society
It comes as the Law Society today confirmed that it will launch a group action against Kordowski on behalf of 150,000 solicitors based in England and Wales for defamation, harassment and breach of the Data Protection Act (16 August 2011).
Kordowski is yet to defeat a single libel action brought against him by a firm but says he is committed to fighting through the courts to preserve his site. The website gives consumers the opportunity to name and shame lawyers who they allege have provided poor service.
The Law Society first mooted action against the site in May (11 May 2011) after High Court judge Mr Justice Henrique said that both the Law Society and Bar Council should investigate defamation complaints about the website (18 April 2011).
Brett Wilson named partner Iain Wilson has instructed Matrix Chambers’ Hugh Tomlinson QC to pursue the case for the Law Society. Tomlinson achieved fame earlier this year when he represented several high-profile celebrities, including footballer Ryan Giggs, in their efforts to bring injunctions against the tabloid press (6 June 2011).
Meanwhile, Kordowski is claiming £1m in damages from Hudson after he allegedly labelled him a “criminal” when speaking to John Flood of the University of Westminster at BBC studios.
Kordowski, who will represent himself in the action, said: “It’s hypocritical of the Law Society to be encouraging defamation claims against me whilst at the same time ignoring the publication of an indefensible slander by the chief executive.
“The Law Society is currently threatening to sue me on behalf of itself and all 150,000 solicitors in England and Wales. That is no justification for allowing its chief executive to defame me.”
A Law Society spokesperson said: “Rick Kordowski has confirmed to us that he does intend to issue proceedings against Desmond Hudson for slander. Liability is completely denied and if proceedings are issued we’ll apply to strike them out.”
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Readers' comments (29)
Anonymous | 2-Sep-2011 1:54 pm
I look forward to the Law Society's application for security for costs.
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Anonymous | 2-Sep-2011 3:28 pm
Kordowski may be untamed but he is not a criminal.
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Anonymous | 2-Sep-2011 3:49 pm
Good luck to Kordowski, it is about time somebody stood up to the Law Society. They have been free to do what they want for years, and if lawyers are providing bad service, what is wrong with naming and shaming them.
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Anonymous | 2-Sep-2011 4:04 pm
If Hudson defamed him then he should face the consequences like anyone else - his position now untenable?
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Anonymous | 2-Sep-2011 4:18 pm
There is nothing wrong with naming and shaming solicitors who provide a poor service.
But he should stop pretending to be the people's champion, fighting didgy solicitors with the sword of truth and the trusty shield of fair play (to borrow a phrase).
If what he truly wanted to do was name and shame solicitors and expose them to public criticism, why does he offer law firms the opportunity to have all references to the firm removed from his website in return for a fee? Not just existing material on the site but any future complaints.
Sounds to me like he is quite happy to sheath the sword of truth in return for a few quid.
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Anonymous | 2-Sep-2011 4:31 pm
I would not expect the Law Society to be able to get security for costs in its action against Kordowski, as it will be the Claimant. Mr Hudson might be able to do so if Kordowski's defamation action brought against him goes anywhere.
The SfH website may "name and shame" lawyers against whom complaints have been made. However, without an adequate screening process investigating the truth of those complaints it is extremely likely that those complaints will be completely without foundation, as have been the findings in the libel cases against Kordowski to date.
Read the Law Society Gazette - the Law Society itself regularly names and shames solicitors (and their clerks) where appropriate, those whose conduct has been properly investigated and found to be so serious as to require disciplinary action.
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Anonymous | 2-Sep-2011 4:34 pm
@Anonymous 3:49 pm - but what about the solicitors who hadn't done anything wrong but wrongfully got "named and shamed" - as evidenced by the string of cases which Kordowski has lost? How would you like lies to be spread about you, particularly ones which threatened your livelihood?
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Anonymous | 2-Sep-2011 4:40 pm
The Law Society has a cheek claiming to represent solicitors. All they really represent are their own vested salaried interests, sitting around on their lazy backsides. Good luck Mr Kordowski, I hope even you sock it to them.
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The Unswattable Fly | 2-Sep-2011 4:56 pm
Kordowski, just give up man. You're attempting to lampoon a profession whilst at the same time using its system to try and protect yourself. Not logical, is it?
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Anonymous | 2-Sep-2011 5:22 pm
Isn't it about time this neurotic chap was branded a vexatious litigant.
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