Guideline on Advertising and Promotion Practice Rules 2006
In addition to the Rules the Council have also approved the following guideline on the advertising of solicitors’ fees, whether that is done by the solicitor or by another party such as an estate agent.
Guideline on Advertising Fees
Where a solicitor’s fees for his services are advertised either by the solicitor or by a third party whether or not the solicitor is named in such an advertisement the advertisement must include mention of outlays and VAT with no less prominence than the fees. Where "legal fees" or similar expressions are used, the fees quoted should be the fees to be charged by the solicitor and the figure quoted should not conceal a commission or referral fee to be paid to a third party. Any such commission or referral fee should be shown separately.
Failure to mention outlays and VAT with no less prominence than the fees may be regarded as misleading and inaccurate and therefore in breach of rule 7(1) of the Solicitors (Scotland) (Advertising and Promotion) Practice Rules 2006. In terms of rule 10 of those rules, breach of any of the rules may be treated as professional misconduct.
