Rotok, No Charges for Violation of Attorney Act... Law&Company "Reconfirms Legality"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Lotoc, a legal service platform accused of violating the Attorney Act, has been dismissed without indictment.

Ro&Company, which operates Lotoc, issued a press release on the 11th stating, "We welcome the prosecution's 'no charges' decision regarding Lotoc," adding, "The prosecution has stated in the investigation results announced this time, as well as in 2015 and 2017, that there is no indication of violation of the Attorney Act."

Earlier, the Lawyers for Direct Translation Protection Group filed a complaint with the prosecution in November 2020, alleging that Lotoc, by opening a website and application and exposing only lawyers who paid advertising fees among those registered on Lotoc at the top of the search list, introduced, referred, and induced users to specific lawyers, thereby violating the Attorney Act.

However, the prosecution viewed Lotoc's business method as a structure similar to the widely used "paid keyword advertising" on portal sites. Lotoc operates in a way that the user's consultation fee is paid directly to the lawyer, and no compensation related to consultation or acceptance is received from the lawyer other than the advertising fee.

Ro&Company stated, "It is meaningful that this decision came after reaffirming 'Lotoc's legality' through the Prosecutors' Citizen Committee," adding, "We believe that the citizen committee members' agreement on Lotoc's legality considered the public convenience."

Since launching the service in 2014, Lotoc has confirmed its legality through several investigations and inquiries during the process of being reported by the Seoul Bar Association, the Korean Bar Association, and others.

Ro&Company said, "This result is a decision that once again certifies Lotoc's legality," and added, "We will continue to strictly comply with all laws and strive for the advancement and popularization of the legal market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.