The law firm at the centre of a media storm over its offer of referral fees to hairdressers and others has been 'horrified' by the publicity, its marketing director told the Gazette this week.



Bryn Hughes, of Salisbury and Southampton firm Trethowans, led the defence of its approach to 300 local businesses, asking them to display cards for the family law team and hand them to clients where appropriate, in return for a £75 referral fee if the case proceeded.



He said misreporting that suggested the firm was asking hairdressers to inform on their clients caused the furore, along with the combination of referral fees and the particular practice area.



Descriptions in the press such as 'unethical' and 'underhand' made it hard to get the firm's message across, Mr Hughes added. The firm has tried to highlight its compliance with Law Society rules.



Some clients and other members of the public contacted Trethowans directly about the story. In turn, the firm has complained to newspapers with varying degrees of success.



Trethowans is now assessing the impact and what its next move should be. 'It would be naive to say it hasn't affected us in any way,' Mr Hughes said.



On referral fees generally, he said: 'You have to take a commercial view of the world, and if it's appropriate and acceptable, you have to look at how you use the "quid pro quo" method of transactions.'



The story originated from one of the potential referees approaching a local newspaper. However, Mr Hughes said 30 businesses have chosen to participate in the scheme.



Neil Rose