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)
geof whitnall | 6-Sep-2011 12:18 pm
It's about time that someone stands up to bad lawyers. I am up against a crooked lawyer that lies cheats and is generally a bad lawyer. He recieved a very strict telling off by a judge for lying in an affidavit and puposely misleading a court by concealing facts, he also told lot's of lies to a witness to get his own way. My lawyer says that obviously this man is crooked but he is just like any other tradesman as such and there is nothing that can be done as you get good and bad in all professions. To me as an ordinary citizen I am appalled at what goes on in English courts and there is nothing one can do and nobody is interested. I am so glad I live in France where there is justice for men and women equally. The English courts are biased and some judges are totally useless and have no idea. Somebody please tell me where is the fairness of English courts gone?
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Bore Society | 7-Sep-2011 9:15 am
What does the Bore Society actually do now that the SRA deals with regulation? The SFH site does a good job as the SRA and Ombudsman are pretty useless. SFH would have a fair comment defence.
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Anonymous | 8-Sep-2011 9:46 am
I am more interested in who is representing him? Their service better be top notch or they'll end up on his website!
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David Browne | 8-Sep-2011 2:48 pm
Well done Kordowski - keep it up.
I'm am starting a new website called doctors from hell and I will be getting all those poor patients who have suffered because of what a dodgy doctor has done to them ...
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James-Ross Moore, Esq. | 8-Sep-2011 3:02 pm
I also am one who posted on the SFH website. I've not read many of the other comments on there, because I've had no involvement with 99% of the firms listed, so I can't and won't comment on them. Of mine, though, I will say this: I can and will prove everything I say, it's all documented. Soon's I find a site that'll allow me to upload 10,700 pages in pdf format, they're going up.
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Corrine Teresa O'Keeffe | 12-Sep-2011 2:00 pm
Well done Mr Kordowski. I wish you every success in your endeavour to take on The Law Society, in particular Des Hudsobn, as large conglomerates such as these have no right to use their "industrial" power as they do against powerless individuals.
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Anonymous | 13-Sep-2011 10:44 am
In answer to who is representing him - not sure on the defamation action against LS but I heard it might be the the barrister Jonathon Crystal (acting pro bono) on the cases he is defending.
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Anonymous | 22-Sep-2011 10:11 am
Most solicitors are decent hard working people, yes there will always be some who are not very good but naming and shaming them is not the answer. It is best to deal directly with the firm if there is a problem. Kordowski is wasting his time, Court time and solicitors time bringing a Claim as it will cost him more money and lost time regardless of the final outcome. If I was Kordowski I would just drop the case as he is not likely to win. He is wasting time and money. Why is the UK so obsessed with litigation? Everyone involved will lose in the long run.
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Derek Ellis | 16-Nov-2011 8:18 am
Hold them to their oaths of office under the penalty of perjury.......
study oaths of office and you will see EVERY SOLICITOR has a conflict of interest....
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