The hydrolysis of ${alpha}$-bromophenylacetamide in the acidic media has been studied. The reactions in sulfuric acid and p-toluenesulfonic acid afforded mainly mandelic acid ; on the other hand, in hydrochloric acid ${alpha}$-chlorophenylacetic acid was the main product. In either case, it was difficult to obtain ${alpha}$-bromophenylacetic acid without concomittant formation of mandelic acid and ${alpha}$-chlorophenylacetic acid respectively from the hydrolysis of ${alpha}$-bromophenylacetamide. Mandelic acid and ${alpha}$-chlorophenylacetic acid were obtained in good yields (86, 95 %) in sulfuric and hydrochloric acid respectively; the reactions are therefore potentially useful processes for obtaining them.