Possible RPC Violation: Awka Law Firm Removes Inscription On Car

The Law firm of Anthonio Lex Firma has removed the inscription
on its car, following a publication by TheNigerialawyer. 

The inscription which conveyed the impression of advertisement
contravened Rule 39 of the RPC.

The inscription on the car showed the Office of the Head of
Chambers, ANTONIO LEX FIRMA. Barristers & Solicitors of the Supreme
Court of Nigeria. 

Other details in the inscription include the address and phone
numbers of the Law firm.

The firm disclosed to Nairalaw that it was done by a
non-lawyer worker without the Principal Partner’s knowledge. The
firm also apologized

“May I sincerely apologize for the inscription written on this
vehicle. The inscription was not done intentionally to advertise or
flout the RPC. It was a vehicle I instructed my P.A. (non-lawyer)
to buy when I was away and assign it to the Head of our chambers
who incidentally relocated from Niger State to Awka. Unknown to me,
he went and inscribed office of the head of chambers on it.

“However, when my attention was called to same, I instructed
them to go and remove it which has been done. We sincerely regret
this.”

Recall that controversy trailed the propriety of the
inscription. Some lawyers argued that the said advert violated Rule
39 of the  Rules of Professional Conduct(RPC), 2007 which
prohibits advertisement and makes it unprofessional for a lawyer to
solicit professional employment by circulars, an advertisement for
professional employment such as furnishing or inspiring newspaper,
comments amongst others.

Other lawyers on their hand said there is nothing legally wrong
with the inscription

The Law firm of Anthonio Lex Firma has removed the inscription
on its car, following a publication by TheNigerialawyer. 

The inscription which conveyed the impression of advertisement
contravened Rule 39 of the RPC.

The inscription on the car showed the Office of the Head of
Chambers, ANTONIO LEX FIRMA. Barristers & Solicitors of the Supreme
Court of Nigeria. 

Other details in the inscription include the address and phone
numbers of the Law firm.

The firm disclosed to Nairalaw that it was done by a
non-lawyer worker without the Principal Partner’s knowledge. The
firm also apologized

“May I sincerely apologize for the inscription written on this
vehicle. The inscription was not done intentionally to advertise or
flout the RPC. It was a vehicle I instructed my P.A. (non-lawyer)
to buy when I was away and assign it to the Head of our chambers
who incidentally relocated from Niger State to Awka. Unknown to me,
he went and inscribed office of the head of chambers on it.

“However, when my attention was called to same, I instructed
them to go and remove it which has been done. We sincerely regret
this.”

Recall that controversy trailed the propriety of the
inscription. Some lawyers argued that the said advert violated Rule
39 of the  Rules of Professional Conduct(RPC), 2007 which
prohibits advertisement and makes it unprofessional for a lawyer to
solicit professional employment by circulars, an advertisement for
professional employment such as furnishing or inspiring newspaper,
comments amongst others.

Other lawyers on their hand said there is nothing legally wrong
with the inscription