Claim solicitors refused service

Three people who appeared the Residential Institutions Redress Board have claimed two solicitor firms in Dublin have refused them a service unless they first withdraw complaints about alleged overcharging.

The three had complained to the Law Society that the firms had double-charged for appearances on their behalf before the board.

An education fund set up by religious congregations which ran industrial schools can only be accessed by former residents if they apply on a form stamped by a solicitor confirming they had been in an institution. Two former residents say they have been refused such a stamp by one law firm, and one former resident by another firm, unless they first agreed to withdraw complaints to the Law Society that the firms had double-charged.

The three people concerned have brought the matter to the attention of Christine Buckley at the Aisling Centre. She said she would be bringing these new complaints to the Law Society.

Chief executive of the Law Society Ken Murphy said last night that the three people should lodge additional complaints against the solicitors concerned.

He confirmed that the names of the people who had complained about double-charging had been supplied to relevant solicitors as part of the Law Society's investigation into the allegations.

Where complaints existed it was expected, and generally the practice, that solicitors would act professionally and continue to provide services to clients, Mr Murphy said.

As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, the society had received 118 complaints of double-charging against solicitors by former residents of industrial schools.