Serious Fraud Office opens the door for solicitor-advocates to take part in trials

Solicitor-advocates may participate in leading fraud trials following a shift in policy at the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), which is replacing an ad hoc system for employing counsel with a formal pool.

The SFO has written to all counsel indicating that it is starting again with a blank sheet to build up a pool of experienced counsel, from which to pick advocates for its cases.

However, the SFOs policy head Tricia Howse said that what mattered in creating the pool was experience, and she would also like to hear from solicitor-advocates with requisite ability to join the SFO pool.

She said: They will have to be damned good.

Were already stuffed full of lawyers here with very deep-seated knowledge and proven advocacy skills.She said that apart from experience those applying to join the pool would need plenty of time to devote to SFO cases, and therefore good back-up to take the slack if they are appointed.

However, William Whitford, chief clerk at flagship fraud set Queen Elizabeth Chambers, said: Im not so sure that solicitor-advocates would be retained.

The SFO rarely briefs very junior people.

Meanwhile, a consortium of four specialist fraud firms has united in Liverpool to benefit from changes in government funding of serious fraud cases.

From 2 April, all fraud cases with an estimated hearing time of at least 28 days, or where the total costs are likely to exceed 150,000, will be publicly funded without being means-tested, and must be handled by members of the SFO panel.Four members firms in Liverpool Quinn Melville, Pearson Fielding, Canter Levin & Berg, and MJP Solicitors have formed the Association of Liverpool Fraud Experts.

The firms will recommend work to another when one is conflicted from a case, and they will co-operate on marketing around the country, maintaining that the panel is not sufficiently spread around the country for fraud cases.The associations marketing manager, Lin Sharkey, said: Cheshire has the highest rate of serious fraud cases reported, but none of the panel firms are situated there.Jeremy Fleming