The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is suing a Balham-based solicitor in a bid to recoup almost half a million pounds in fees.


Nwabudike Anthony Omezie practised at Anthony & Roberts in Balham High Street and had a general civil contract. The particulars of claim allege that £462,287.10 was paid to him for work that he either did not do or for which he failed to submit bills.



An LSC spokeswoman said it had arrangements that allowed solicitors to be paid money on account, provided they subsequently claimed for the work and it was assessed as payable. 'Where we have a concern that a solicitor may have been overpaid, we have a duty to ask the solicitor to account to us for that money and, where appropriate, reclaim it.'



She said that, in January 2006, information suggested that issues had arisen in relation to an imbalance between payments and claims. The LSC terminated Mr Omezie's contract in March 2006.



Mr Omezie has since left Anthony & Roberts, which has now ceased to trade. He said he was aware of the proceedings, but declined to comment further.



Catherine Baksi