GEORGIA BAR ASSOCIATION v. LAWYERS TITLE INSURANCE CORPORATION; and vice versa, 222 Ga. 657

Summary

The state bar association and the title insurance corporation challenged the trial court's judgment that the evidence at trial showed that the only activities of the title insurance corporation that violated Ga. Code Ann. §§ 9-401 through 9-405 were the walk-in business and the advertisements encouraging it. On appeal, the court held that the trial court correctly determined the issues of law and fact. In reaching its decision, the court agreed with the trial court that Ga. Code Ann. § 9-403 allowed the title insurance corporation to examine records, issue abstracts of title, certify to the correctness of them, issue policies of insurance on titles to real or personal property, and receive payment for those services. The court also agreed with the trial court that the title insurance corporation violated state law when it held itself out to the public as being authorized to render legal services and advice in the handling and closing of real estate transactions between title insurance ...