Speculative Invoices Were Serious Misconduct

Two lawyers who sent speculative invoices to people they’d accused of illegal file-sharing have been found guilty of professional misconduct.

David Gore and Brian Miller of Davenport Lyons sent letters claiming there was evidence to show the recipient was guilty of copyright infringement and demanded about £500 in compensation to make highly expensive legal action go away.

The scheme came to light when consumer magazine Which? notified the Solicitors Regulatory Authority that the letters contained baseless and outlandish claims and were targeting innocent people.

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found Gore and Miller guilty of professional misconduct and their punishment will be announced in July.

It may be a monetary penalty but the tribunal also has the power to have them disbarred.

Andrew Crossley from the now defunct ACS:Law will face similar charges later in the year.