SRA interventions

Robert G Williams & Co
On 12 August 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene into the practice of Robert George Williams, who formerly practised at 77a George Street, Croydon, Surrey CRO 1LD under the firm name Robert G Williams & Co.

The reason for the intervention was that the committee was satisfied that Robert George Williams had failed to comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998 and had failed to comply with the Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007.

Peter Bristow of Mayo Wynne Baxter, Dial House, 221 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2AE, 01273 477071, has been appointed to act as the SRA’s agent and he attended at the office of Robert G Williams & Co on 17 August 2009 and uplifted practice papers.

The practising certificate of Mr Williams was suspended with immediate effect by virtue of the resolution.

Walkers
On 5 August 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene in the above-named practice, at 8A Kings Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SJ (this was closed on 30 April 2009) on the basis that it was satisfied that grounds for intervention existed under paragraphs 1(1)(d) and (m) of part I of schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended), namely that Michael Peter Forrester has been adjudged bankrupt, and that it was necessary to exercise powers to protect the interests of clients (or former or potential clients) of Michael Peter Forrester or his firm, or the interests of the beneficiaries of any trust of which he is or was a trustee.

Cheryll Whittaker of Foreman Laws, 25 Bancroft, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1JW, 01462 458711, has been appointed to act as the intervention agent. The first date of attendance at the home address of Mr Forrester was 7 August 2009 and all files and accounting records still in the possession of Mr Forrester were obtained. Mr Forrester’s practising certificate has not been suspended.

Adeeko & Co Solicitors
On 13 August 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene in the above-named practice, at 146 Plumstead Road, London SE18 7DY, on the basis that it was satisfied that grounds for intervention existed under paragraphs 1(1)(a) and (c) of part I of schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended), namely that there was reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Adesope Adeeko, and that Adesope Adeeko and Folasade Kaffo had failed to comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998 and the Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007.

Andrew Coates of Kennedys, 25 Fenchurch Avenue, London EC3M 5AD, 020 7667 9667, has been appointed to act as the intervention agent. The first date of attendance at the practice address was 17 August 2009 and all client files and accounting records were uplifted.

The practising certificates of both Mr Adeeko and Mrs Kaffo were suspended.

Kings-Wray Conveyancing Limited
On 19 August 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene into John Robert Jacobs’ practice at Kings-Wray Conveyancing Limited, 2-4 New Street, Braintree, Essex CM7 1ES, on the following grounds:
1. Failure to comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998;
2. Failure to comply with the Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007;
3. Abandonment of practice; and
4. To exercise powers of intervention to protect client interests.

The committee also resolved to intervene into the recognised body, Kings-Wray Conveyancing Limited, on the grounds that it was necessary to exercise powers of intervention to protect client interests.

Guy Osborn of Osbornes, Livery House, 9 Pratt Street, London NW1 0AE, 020 7485 8811, DX: 57053 Camden Town, has been appointed to act as the SRA’s agent. The first date of attendance was 21 August 2009.

Mr Jacobs does not hold a current practising certificate.

Ellis & Fairbairn
On 20 August 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene into Karl Phillip’s practice at 26 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3DL on the following grounds:
1. Failure to comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998;
2. Failure to comply with the Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007; and
3. To exercise powers of intervention to protect client interests.

Simon Cousins of Foreman Laws, 25 Bancroft, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1JW, 01462 458 711, DX: 7102 Hitchin, has been appointed to act as the SRA’s agent. The first date of attendance was the 24 August 2009.

By virtue of section 91(2) of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, Mr Phillip’s practising certificate has been suspended.

Barkers Law
On 26 August 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene into Andrew David Barker’s former practice at 20 Station Road, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset BH14 8UB, as the committee was satisfied that it was necessary to exercise the powers conferred by part II of schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 (or any of them) in relation to Barkers Law to protect the interests of clients (or former or potential clients) of Mr A D Barker or his firm, or the interests of the beneficiaries of any trust of which Mr A D Barker is or was a trustee. Richard Portlock of Blake Lapthorn, New King’s Court, Tollgate, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO53 3LG, 023 8090 8090, DX: 155850 Eastleigh 7, has been appointed to act as the SRA’s agent. The practice papers (excluding archived files at an offsite storage facility) and monies are in the possession of the agent.
Mr Barker’s practising certificate has not been suspended.

M Marshall
On 19 August 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene into the remnants of the practice of Miss Wysocka-Borejszo and Mrs Miroslawa Marshall who formerly practised at 2 Saxon Croft, Repton, Derby, Derbyshire DE24 8SR, under the firm name M Marshall Solicitors. It is understood that the firm's office closed on 31 October 2006.

The reason for the intervention was that the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved that the practice had been abandoned and that grounds for intervention also exist under paragraph 1(1)(m) of part 1 of schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended), namely it is necessary to exercise the intervention powers to protect the interests of clients (or former clients) of the practice.

Miss R J Wysocka-Borejszo & Mrs M Marshall did not have current practising certificates at the time of the intervention resolution.

Marion Vesey of Shacklocks, St Peter’s House, Bridge Street, Mansfield NG18 1AL, 01623 626141, DX: 10352 Mansfield, has been appointed to act as the authority’s agent.
The agent has uplifted the practice papers.

Aamir Zane Solicitors
On 21 August 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene into the practice of Ahmar Hussain who practised at 874-880 Eastern Avenue, Newbury Park, Ilford, Essex IG2 7HY under the firm name Aamir Zane Solicitors.

The reason for the intervention was that the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved that there was reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Mr Hussain in connection with his practice as a solicitor.

The committee was further satisfied that Mr Hussain has failed to comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998 and the Solicitors Code of Conduct and that grounds for intervention also exist under paragraph 1(1)(m) of part 1 of schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended) namely it is necessary to exercise the intervention powers to protect the interests of clients (or former clients) of the practice.

Mr Hussain’s practising certificate was suspended with immediate effect by virtue of the resolution.

Andrew Coates of Kennedys, 25 Fenchurch Avenue, London EC3M 5AD, 020 7667 9667, has been appointed to act as the authority’s agent. He attended at the office of Aamir Zane Solicitors on 27 August 2009 and uplifted practice papers.

Gerry J Gibson & Co Solicitors
On 26 August 2009, the committee resolved to intervene in the above-named practice on the basis that they were satisfied that grounds for intervention existed under paragraph 1(1)(m) of part I of schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended), namely that it was necessary to exercise powers to protect the interests of clients (or former or potential clients) of Gerard Gibson or his firm, or the interests of the beneficiaries of any trust which Gerard Gibson is or was a trustee.

Neal Boland of Stephensons Solicitors LLP, 24 Lord Street, Leigh, Lancs WN7 1AB, 01942 777777, has been appointed to act as the intervention agent. The first date of attendance at the home address of Mr Gibson was 28 August 2009 and all client files and accounting records in his possession were uplifted.

Mr Gibson did not hold a current practising certificate.