QLD Lawyer Behaviour - Made an Enquiry to Lawyer Undertaking Other Party's Case?

[Bronextdoor]

Hello.

Very glad that I found this forum! Nice to e-meet you all.

I had a dispute while ago that I was looking into. Basically, I got in touch with multiple firms to get this matter looked at to find right firm.

During the process of resolving the dispute, I found out one of the law firm that I made an enquiry to took the case of other party.

When I made initial enquiry they seemed like they were interested in the case and got me to send documents/details after that they declined to take the case because it was not their specialty area. I got another firm to look at the matter and from emails I found out that law firm was where I sent infomation took the case for other party.

Is this possible scenario in law firms? I feel like I'm disadvantaged

Any opinion is appreciated.

Thank you so much.

 

[Rod]

Did you pay the other (first) law firm any money? Did you sign any paperwork with them?

 

[Rob Legat - SBPL]

Yes, it's possible - especially if there is a small pool of law firms in that area of law. It may be as simple as the other party is an existing past/client of theirs, or someone else in the law firm accepted instructions.

 

[Clancy]

The big question is - did you give them any information they would not otherwise be able to find out by their own research/other party or discovery?

 

[Bronextdoor]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Rod - No I did not sign anything nor pay them. When they asked for information I emailed them detailed information about case.
Rob - Thank you for your answer.
Clancy - I think I did.

 

[Clancy]

Well in that case you should tell your new lawyer exactly what information you revealed to them

 

[Clancy]

Also, if you did reveal information to them that they would not have otherwise been able to obtain, then they run off to work for the other side, this is a very serious matter!

 

[Rod]

One tactic is let the other side run with the dispute for a little while, rack up costs, then say, BTW aren't you the mob that has my confidential information? It might be a good idea for you to withdraw from the case to avoid a perceived conflict of interest.

But if the result is you have better lawyers, why not let the other side continue with a handicap.