SRA interventions
Kapadia Stuart Solicitors
On 2 July 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene in the above-named practice on the basis that it was satisfied that grounds for intervention existed under paragraphs 1(1)(c), (ee) and (m) of part I of schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended), namely that David Stuart Simpkins, who practised at 93-99 Goswell Road, London EC1V 7EY, had failed to comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998; that as a sole solicitor is incapacitated by illness, injury or accident to such an extent to be unable to attend to his practice, and that it was necessary to exercise powers to protect the interests of clients or former or potential clients of Mr Simpkins or his firm.
David Redfern of Stanley Tee, 6 High Street, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts CM23 2LU, tel: 01279 755200, has been appointed to act as the intervention agent.
The first date of attendance at the practice address was 6 July 2009. Mr Simpkins’ practising certificate has been suspended.
Warren Thomas
On 1 July 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene in Graeme Warren-Thomas’s former practice, of 500 Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK9 2BE, on the grounds that the panel was satisfied that it was necessary to exercise the powers conferred by part II of schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 in relation to Mr Warren-Thomas (deceased) to protect the interest of clients (or former or potential clients) of Mr Warren-Thomas or his firm, or the interests of the beneficiaries of any trust of which Mr Warren-Thomas is or was a trustee. Tony Fisher of Fisher Jones Greenwood, Unit 1A, Charter Court, Newcomen Way, Severalls Business Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 9YA, tel: 01206 835230, DX: 3600 Colchester, has been appointed to act as the authority’s agent. The first date of attendance was 7 July 2009.
Corts
On 8 July 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene in the practice of John David Cort who formerly practised at Blackbird House, 57A Blackbird Road, Leicester LE4 0AR under the firm name Corts.
The reason for the intervention was that the panel was satisfied that there was reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Mr Cort; that Mr Cort has failed to comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998; that Mr Cort has been remanded in custody; and that it is necessary to intervene to protect the interests of clients (or former or potential clients) of Mr Cort or his firm, or the interests of the beneficiaries of any trust of which Mr Cort is or was a trustee. Marion Vesey of Shacklocks, St Peter’s House, Bridge Street, Mansfield NG18 1AL, tel: 01623 626141, DX: 10352 Mansfield, has been appointed to act as the authority’s agent and she attended at the office of Corts and took possession of practice papers on 9 July 2009. Pursuant to the intervention resolution, the practising certificate of Mr Cort has been suspended with immediate effect.
Egole & Co
On 14 July 2009, the panel of adjudicators sub-committee resolved to intervene in the practice of Thomas Ofordire Egole, who practised at 283 Hornsea Road, London N19 4HN under the firm name of Egole & Co. Andrew Coates of Kennedys, 25 Fenchurch Avenue, London EC3M 5AD, tel: 020 7667 9667, has been appointed to act as the SRA’s agent and he took possession of all practice papers on 20 July 2009.
The grounds of intervention are reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Mr Egole, breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998, breaches of the Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007, breaches of Solicitors Indemnity Rules 2008, abandonment, practising without a practising certificate, and to protect the interests of clients.
Dean & Dean Solicitors
Regarding the reference to Dean & Dean Solicitors (see [2009] Gazette, 26 February, 19), Dr Shahrokh Mireskandari and Caroline Sara Turbin have withdrawn their intervention challenge. John Gould of Russell-Cooke, of 2 Putney Hill, Putney, London SW15 6AB, tel: 020 8789 9111, is the appointed intervention agent.
