Key facts
- Legal 500's website was taken down on Friday.
- The site published highly critical and sometimes bizarre reviews of lawyers.
- Reviews included descriptions of alleged failings, disorganization, and even buildings.
- The publisher, Legalease, is investigating the source of the comments.
- Entry into Legal 500 is based on research, client feedback, and peer reviews.
The Legal 500 legal ratings website has been taken offline after accidentally publishing highly critical and sometimes incongruous reviews of lawyers. The directory, which typically highlights lawyers' best qualities, went live with feedback that included details about alleged failings, disorganization, and even descriptions of buildings instead of professional attributes.
Examples of the published comments included a barrister being described as ‘adequate but disorganised and indecisive,’ and another as a ‘formidable oral advocate’ whose written work was good but sometimes sloppy, with concerns about speed. One entry simply stated: ‘Nothing of note,’ while another bizarrely described a named barrister as ‘Impressive building and facilities.’
It remains unclear where these comments originated. The problem did not appear to be universal, as many law firms and chambers had posted positive listings. Entry into the Legal 500 is based on research, client feedback, and peer reviews, with firms submitting details about their work and client referees. Legalease, the publisher, recently settled a pay dispute with its researchers.