OSS to deal with fall-out from footballers' trial

A Leeds solicitor and a Manchester law firm were both the subject of complaints received this week by the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors in relation to the recent trial of Leeds footballers Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate.Peter McCormick, a former director of Leeds United and senior partner of Leeds firm McCormicks, is accused of acting in conflict of interest, along with Manchester firm Freeman & Co, which acted for Woodgate.The National Civil Rights Movement told the Gazette it made the complaints.

It is assisting Sarfraz Najeib, whom the players were last month exonerated from causing grievous bodily harm.

Woodgate was found guilty of affray.

The OSS confirmed receipt of both complaints.Mr McCormick's conflict is alleged to arise from his being a director of Leeds while acting - in the initial stages of the case - for both footballers.The allegation against him repeats the charge - originally made by Leeds player Michael Duberry - that he was encouraged by the Leeds lawyer to lie in court.Mr McCormick was this week unavailable for comment, but told the Gazette recently that he would 'vigorously resist' any complaints made against him (see [2002] Gazette, 4 January, 3).Freeman & Co is also alleged to have had a conflict of interest in relation to its client Woodgate.

It is claimed that vital prosecution evidence in the case against Woodgate might have been affected by the firm's decision to act for another Leeds footballer in the preliminary stages of the trial.A spokesman for Freeman & Co said the firm had not yet seen the allegation, and said 'it would be irresponsible to comment without having seen the substance of the complaint'.

By Jeremy Fleming