TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Supreme Court is asking the Florida Bar to prepare a rule that would ban lawyers from using for-profit client referral services that aren't owned by lawyers.
The court issued its order on Thursday, citing problems with for-profit referral services that haven't been in the best interest of clients.
The Florida Bar had proposed a rule that was less restrictive, but the court rejected it.
The court said that while some may see the action as severe, it is "absolutely necessary" to protect people from referral services that use lawyers to direct clients to undesired, unnecessary or harmful medical treatment or services.
It said the rule would also prevent conflicts of interest.
