21 July 2011 Last updated at 10:01 ET

Law Society takes on Solicitors from Hell website

By Ellie Bury BBC Radio 4, You and Yours

The Law Society represents solicitors in England and Wales

A website which claims to name and shame under-performing lawyers is facing legal action from the Law Society for alleged defamation.

The site, Solicitors from Hell, was set up by Rick Kordowski after a dispute with a solicitor ended badly.

It invites users to post detailed testimonials about poor service, directly naming the lawyers involved.

But the Law Society says there is no system for substantiating the negative comments on the site.

Defamation claims have already been brought against Mr Kordowski, a graphics designer, by individual law firms. The latest was in the High Court last week.

But now the Law Society is planning to pursue two cases against Mr Kordowski, one on behalf of solicitors already on the site, and another on behalf of the profession.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme, Law Society Chief Executive Desmond Hudson described the site as "littered with untruths and abusive comments", and accused it of not giving lawyers a right of reply.

But John Flood, professor of Law and Sociology from Westminster University, defended the Solicitors from Hell website, saying it filled a gap in the market.

"I don't think the site would be there if there wasn't a considerable amount of dissatisfaction with the way legal services were being delivered in this country," he said.

You and Yours is on BBC Radio 4 weekdays at midday.