Fraud probe prompts warning to solicitors over possible buyers

Solicitors have been warned this week to take 'special care' when approached by potential buyers of their practices.

The statement was issued by the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors (OSS) as a result of the ongoing alleged 6 million fraud investigation into the workings of Surrey firm BJ Brandon, owned by Dixit Shah.

Mr Shah denies any wrongdoing [see Gazette [2000] 5 October, 5).

The OSS warns that practitioners might sell the practice only to find that they do not receive all the sale price.

Alison Crawley, head of professional ethics at the Law Society, said: 'If solicitors are approached with tempting - often unrealistic - offers for their practices, we are saying they should be on their guard.

There may be an underlying motive.'

Victoria MacCallum