Legal advert exposes opportunistic system

RECENT reports about an advertisement by a firm of solicitors, which tried to entice people who had an “unhappy family Christmas” to contact them for confidential advice, should prompt people to reflect on the impact of family law on families and society in general (Irish Examiner, January 8).

According to reports, complainants have used the term ‘tasteless’ to describe the advert and the managing partner of the firm in question said she realises the advert ‘caused offence’.

However, to describe the advertisement as merely ‘tasteless’ or ‘offensive’ ignores the real issue. The problem is not the wording of the advert but what it exposes. In fact, it gives us a glimpse of the truth behind the misleading facade which suggests that family law is beneficial to families and society, and that the legal profession plays an honourable role in assisting families to resolve their problems in a fair, just and constructive manner.