New Legal Section suggestion

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beasty

  • #1
    I believe this forum would do well where only qualified persons could REPLY to legal questions, the reason being the advice is often beyond simplistic and very wrong, not based on written law, or fact but just what someone with a lot of posts happens to think may happen.

    Legal issues can make or break companies and people lives, to add value to this forum a section where people asking questions might have a better chance at reality rather than someones best guess would be a great addition.

    Too many replies began, I AM NOT A LAWYER BUT, two people agree on the same wrong advice and then it starts being treated as fact.

    Suggestion, take it or leave it.
     
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    Subbynet

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  • #2
    Yeah it would be better if only legal professionals replied, but this is not a legal forum, its a business forum, largely made up of business owners giving their experience, not legal advice per-se, but guidance from past experiences.

    I tend to find people are told to seek proper legal advice, and if someones business is at risk and they don't do that, they should be given a Darwin award for stupidity.
     
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    Henry Osadzinski

  • #3
    It's a good point you make and, obviously, in situations where a qualified professional is the best option, the OP should be aware that they shouldn't make their final decision without consulting an actual solicitor.

    The legal forum is a place where, as Subby says, members can talk about it from a business perspective but it is worth us putting up a sticky to remind people that we're not here to replace proper legal advice. I'll get on it today :)
     
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    beasty

  • #4
    Henry Osadzinski said:
    It's a good point you make and, obviously, in situations where a qualified professional is the best option, the OP should be aware that they shouldn't make their final decision without consulting an actual solicitor.

    Thanks for swift response, having previously worked in this sector I would never take legal advice from amateurs, actually I was speaking with my lawyer on saturday and pointed him at the legal section, prompting my suggestion

    The legal forum is a place where, as Subby says, members can talk about it from a business perspective but it is worth us putting up a sticky to remind people that we're not here to replace proper legal advice. I'll get on it today :)
    Click to expand...

    May ave worded this better, I was suggesting a sub section, of the forum, so at least if you post in there you know the person replying is not just having their best guess. Of course this might not be workable so a sticky could be just the ticket

    Thanks for your response
     
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    beasty

  • #6
    To post in this section why not?

    It is easily verified and set up on SMF

    It is pretty likely giving free info on small posts, that they would also be approached to do actual work.

    If only 1 person submits their credentials, it would still have value, i would not expect more than a couple to take part, but then it would be very valuable in terms of the quality of reply to common issues.
     
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    Subbynet

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  • #7
    The thing is, legal bods tend to give you an overview of a issue in that forum, and then they ask you to contact them. So its rare that this advice has "Community value", sometimes you learn more from the other replies. Which I admit sometimes isn't perfect advice, but its usually not far off!

    Plus, I have to say, you could say this for lots of the forums, only qualified accountants can reply in the Accounting forum, only qualified HR people in the Employment forum... The list goes on and on.

    Qualified solicitors and accountants and everyone else really has the ability to show their "Qualification" in their sector by adding their business details to their signature, which should give the OP an indication of the quality of advice given, and means they could contact that person should they so wish.

    I think this is the best way to go.
     
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    123Simples

    123Simples

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  • #8
    What actually makes a person "qualified"?
    If someone actually has a legal issue, then this forum (or any forum for that matter) is not the answer. Their best solution is to look in yellow pages and find a solicitor who operates from a business premises.

    Having said that, questions posed by OP's who actually are "real people" would hopefully have the common sense to listen, evaluate and then make a better decision based on several replies, rather than just one reply.

    I think sometimes there are occasions when a poster comes along, asks a question and then that is the last you here from them, makes you wonder if they even had a legal problem in the first place??

    PLEASE NOTE: This is not a legal response ;)
     
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    OldWelshGuy

    OldWelshGuy

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  • #9
    I would say that it would be a non starter in as much as they could be opening themselves up to a possible case for legal action for bad advice. Currently theya re giving pro-bona advice without any legal backup. The moment they prove they are qualified to give such advice, then that could be stated as 'I did what HE/SHE said because on the forum it said he was qualified to give advice!

    My suggestion would be to place a sticky in the legal section and send ask them to reply in private to henry to gauge their views. Asking them to reply openly could result in a skewed reply.
     
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    beasty

  • #10
    Not true

    As any legal person is going to have a statement that it is opinion and not legal advice merely guidance and for a comprehensive investigation please consult yadayada

    People make stupid decision based on advice from this forum on a regular basis, I know as I have witnessed the result of someone taking advice from someone with no knowledge

    Anyhow, it was a suggestion, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing sometimes
     
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    OldWelshGuy

    OldWelshGuy

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  • #11
    beasty said:
    Not true

    As any legal person is going to have a statement that it is opinion and not legal advice merely guidance and for a comprehensive investigation please consult yadayada

    People make stupid decision based on advice from this forum on a regular basis, I know as I have witnessed the result of someone taking advice from someone with no knowledge

    Anyhow, it was a suggestion, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing sometimes
    Click to expand...

    Are you legally qualified enough to state that as a fact :p

    Ok I am being facetious, but my point was that there would be little point in doing it without first privately polling the small number of individuals involved.
     
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