A MAJOR Costa del Sol law firm is being probed over kickbacks in return for conveyancing deals.
Marbella-based Martinez-Echevarria Abogados has been denounced for breaching a legal code of ethics by paying commissions to estate agents for contracts.
A new ruling by the Malaga Bar Association now means that the firm could be heavily fined and even suspended from practising.
The association has launched an investigation, after the firm was accused of taking ‘power of persuasion commissions’ in a legal dossier – seen by the Olive Press.
Meanwhile, the firm strongly denies the allegation and is contesting the association’s credibility. It is also taking legal action against one of its directors.
Martinez-Echevarria’s attorney Antonio Torrecillas has filed a criminal complaint against the director for misappropriating €600,000 and claims the association’s rulings are ‘void’ until the case is resolved.
It comes just months after the Olive Press launched a campaign exposing the practice of lawyers giving agents ‘backhanders’ of up to 20% for working on conveyancing deals.
Some 25 legal firms, estate agents and lobbying groups have already publicly backed the campaign, which is gathering speed.
The Olive Press understands at least two other major legal firms and up to a dozen smaller ones have allegedly been taking backhanders.
This is despite a national code of practice stating that ‘a lawyer may never pay, demand or accept, commissions, or other monies from another lawyer, or any other person for having sent a client or recommending future customers’.
Despite the law, no legal firm has yet been found guilty of paying backhanders.
However, both the Malaga Bar Association and the Andalucian lawyers association (CADECA) have now ruled that kickbacks are ‘absolutely forbidden’ by Spanish and European rules.
In a landmark joint statement, they insist any firm offering them will ‘be penalised’.
Marbella lawyer Alex Radford from My Lawyer in Spain, believes the ruling is ‘great news for honest and independent law firms’.
“This action is long overdue as there are many firms who have been involved in this unfair practice for far too long,” he added.
Meanwhile, fellow lawyer Ramon Pelayo added: “The ruling is highly significant in that it stamps out a corruption that has distorted free competition.
“It puts an end to the unfair practices that have gravely harmed the interests of clients.”
He added: “The true relevance of this ruling will depend on measures enforced by the Bar Association in the future.
“It is great that the Olive Press has been so forward in helping to bring this bad practice into the public arena”
Estate agents and law firms are now being encouraged to report any suspected malpractice to the Malaga Bar Association.
To join the Olive Press ‘K.O. the kickbacks’ campaign email newsdesk@theolivepress.es
Click here to read more News from The Olive Press.
Please, find bellow the complete opinion article that RAMÓN C. PELAYO ABOGADOS prepared for The Olive Press regarding this news:
Everything in the hands of the Malaga Bar Association
The ruling handed down, upon the request presented by this office, by the Andalusian Council of Bar Associations is highly significant in that it stamps out a corruption that has distorted the free competition between lawyers and harmed the image and prestige of the Legal Profession. Thus, it puts and end to the unfair practices that have also gravely harmed the interests of clients, allowing these to fall into the hands of professionals who had been “counselled” on the basis of mere economic interest and not for the good of their deeds. Nonetheless, we have come to consider that the relevance of this ruling will depend, for the most part, on measures that are to be adopted by the Bar Association of Malaga in the future, in order to prosecute and harshly punish these malpractices, whereby putting an end to the current air of permissiveness.
Ramón C. Pelayo
Managing Partner at RAMÓN C. PELAYO ABOGADOS
“…harmed the image and prestige of the Legal Profession”
I think the Spanish legal profession was well and truly harmed well before this latest event. The concept of justice in Spain’s legal system is just about non-existent.