Solicitors slapped on wrist for home conversion claim

A firm of solicitors which claimed people who need their homes converted to live independently must use a law firm for advice has been slapped on the wrist by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Wrigleys Solicitors is a Leeds-based firm specializing in tax affairs for individuals and pensions advice for trustees.

The ASA confirmed it received a complaint about a magazine advert in which Wrigleys claimed people must seek advice from an independent solicitor on adapting a home for independent living.

The complainant said individuals can access the same service from planning consultants or local authorities, in some cases for free, and said the advert was misleading.

Following the complaint, the ASA approached Wrigleys with the concern and the firm agreed to remove the claim in its advertising without a formal investigation.

Wrigleys was not available for comment.

Rob Baker, director of care services management firm Age Content, said: "If a local authority advises an elderly couple to convert their bathroom, for example, it will then recommend suppliers.

"The legal aspect is not something that comes into it as it is just like any home improvement.

"We would not be telling our clients to seek legal advice unless there was an issue of mental incapacity on the part of the homeowner, but that is not the normal procedure."