A flock of legal firms have been battered for trying to win over potential group action claimants with false and misleading advertising, as part of a wider crackdown by the watchdog on ads relating to compensation lawyers.
Johnson Law Group, KP Law, and Jones Whyte Law were all identified for investigation following complaints received and intelligence gathered by the Advertising Standards Authority.
The firms all used a combination of Google paid-for search ads, paid-for Facebook ads, and their own websites.
Johnson Law Group ran a number of ads relating to group action compensation claims by diesel vehicle owners and lessees, but failed to make clear that by providing their details and e-signing, people were signing a legally binding contract to join a group action claim.
The firm also failed to present material information prominently, in a clear and timely manner, and omitted material information.
The ASA pointed out that for paid-for search and social media ads which included claims such as “No Win No Fee” or “No Upfront Cost”, or stated a potential compensation figure, material information should appear either in those ads, or at least be presented clearly on a landing page.
Material information included information about how fees and charges were calculated in a successful claim, and that clients may be liable for costs in some circumstances.
Meanwhile, the Jones Whyte ad related to group action compensation claims for people who had been affected by a data breach, and also failed to present material information clearly and omitted material information.
Finally, KP Law ads also related to group action compensation claims by people who had been affected by a data breach, and falsely implied that the advertiser was acting for purposes outside its business, did not make its commercial intent clear or present material information in a clear manner.
All three have been sent off with a flea in their ear and warned about future activity.
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