A large west London immigration firm that is understood to have acted for thousands of clients was forced to cease trading this month following discussions with the Legal Services Commission (LSC).

The closure came as a second immigration practice - which preferred not to be identified - warned that the LSC is 'squeezing firms' by requiring them to balance their books to 100% by April, without giving sufficient notice.


An LSC statement said that at the point the firm closed, the amount of work it had claimed for accounted for only 73% of payments already made. The LSC said it had worked closely with the firm to try and avoid closure.


Noden & Co said it had ceased trading earlier this month following a 'final meeting' with the LSC. Practice manager Yusef Noden said that after the LSC had ceased funding - meaning the firm could not service its work - the firm had invited the Law Society to intervene in the practice 'in order to protect and safeguard clients'.


The LSC said it had provided a list of quality assured solicitors and advisers to the Law Society's agents, Russell-Cooke, which is currently writing to all of Noden & Co's clients.


The LSC statement added that it was the commission's intention 'to balance all contracts to 100% by April 2006'. It said it was 'a public body with a responsibility to ensure that the best use is made of taxpayers' money'.