A Lancashire law firm which operated from a shopping centre has been closed following an intervention by the SRA.

In a notice published today, the regulator said its committee has decided to intervene in the practice of Orbis Solicitors, based in Bury.

The notice said the SRA was satisfied there is ‘reason to suspect dishonesty’ in relation to managing director Anne Bradley.

On Bradley, a separate notice added: ‘The committee was further satisfied that grounds for intervention existed under Paragraph 1(1)(c) of Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended) Ms Bradley has failed to comply with the rules made by virtue of section 31 or 32 of that act, namely the SRA Principles 2011, the solicitors accounts rules 1998 and the SRA Accounts Rules 2011.’

Bradley was admitted in 1994. She founded the firm more than eight years ago and opened a ‘law shop’ at Bury’s Mill Gate Shopping Centre last year.

According to her LinkedIn profile, she was previously a solicitor at Russell & Russell and a partner for 10 years at Manchester firm Donns Solicitors.

Orbis Solicitors has specialist departments dealing with employment, corporate and commercial, personal injury, motorcycle accidents, PPI claims, clinical negligence and professional negligence.

According to the firm’s website, it took many cases on a no win, no fee basis and ensured ‘all legal fees are paid by the losing side’ should claims be upheld.

It also played a role in the local community, previously sponsoring local football team Ramsbottom United for three years and the annual North Manchester Custom & Classic Motorcycle Show.

Orbis has not responded to the Gazette's request for comment.