UK solicitors vote to ban referral fees

Last week solicitors voted three to one in favour of reinstating the ban on referral fees. Of the more than 20,000 Law Society members who voted (out of 120,000 ballots which were sent out) over 73% voted in favour to reinstate the ban. This is after the 1999 decision when 70% of solicitors voted for market freedom in a ballot with a 31% turnout.

The Council will consider the result at its December meeting, taking into account the public interest. Chances are though, despite the strongly held views of these solicitors a change can only come after the Master of the Rolls' 12 month review.

Article in the Law Gazette