Overview
- Tokyo Metropolitan Police searched Albatross’s Shinagawa headquarters and two affiliated law offices on Oct. 22 on suspicion of Attorney Act violations.
- Investigators suspect the firm referred some clients to lawyers for a fee, a practice prohibited for non‑lawyers and for lawyers who accept paid referrals.
- Police are also examining whether the company itself conducted legal negotiations in retirement disputes without a license, according to media reports.
- Authorities seized documents and plan voluntary interviews with dozens of people to assess potential criminal liability.
- The operator denies illegal conduct, with its representative saying no money changed hands with lawyers; the service launched in March 2022 and advertises fixed fees and over 40,000 cases handled.