A Dublin law firm has apologised for any offence it caused by advertising for business from people who had had an "unhappy family Christmas".
The advertisement, by Farrell Family Law Solicitors, which appeared in The Irish Timesthree times last week, has been referred to the complaints committee of the Law Society.
The Law Society says it received a number of complaints about the advertisement from members of the public who felt it was in bad taste and attempted to exploit people's personal problems.
The advertisement stated: "Unhappy family Christmas? Call Farrell Family Law Solicitors for confidential advice. Open over Christmas and New Year". Work and mobile phone numbers were appended.
Last night, the firm's managing partner Angela Farrell said she deeply regretted the advertisement, which had been placed by her office during the Christmas period.
"I never intended to cause offence. I realise that the advertisement has caused offence and I unreservedly apologise for this.
"The advertisement arose in response to phone calls our office received in previous years from people and families having troubled and stressful Christmases. It was simply intended to make it easier for such persons to access professional advice.
"I recognise that the advertisement was in error and I apologise to anyone who was offended by it."
Under regulations governing advertising by solicitors introduced in 2002, law firms may not promote their practices in a way that is in bad taste or could bring the legal profession into disrepute.
In addition, legal advertising cannot be published in an inappropriate location or make reference to a "calamitous" event or situation.
Solicitors' advertisements may not appear beside death notices in a newspaper, as this could be seen as touting for business from the bereaved.
The regulations were changed primarily to ban advertising for personal injuries cases, while phrases such as "no foal no fee" and "most cases settled out of court" were banned from advertisements.
The referred complaints will be heard by the Law Society complaints committee later this month.
Until then, the firm has been told not to publish the advertisement again.
If the complaints are upheld, the matter could be referred to the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal, which is an independent body which includes some lay members.
