The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is facing two separate court actions by a Northamptonshire solicitor over her dealings with elderly patients who live in care homes.

Yvonne Hossack, sole principal at Hossacks, has issued proceedings under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), on the grounds that the LSC failed to comply with the legislation and that she is being victimised for acting for disabled people.


She is also preparing a libel case against the LSC over internal e-mails which she says she mistakenly received, describing her as ‘inept’, ‘eccentric’ and ‘rampaging around the country’ in the way she deals with cases.


Ms Hossack also said the LSC had sent copies of correspondence regarding concerns over her contract and a schedule of costs that it was seeking from her to a dying man in his care home.


An LSC spokesman said it denied the claims Ms Hossack had issued under the DDA and had submitted a defence in those terms, and would also vigorously defend any defamation action. He admitted that it had mistakenly sent an acknowledgement of service to the applicant in a third action and had apologised to Ms Hossack for any distress caused.


‘It is clearly a matter of concern that our relationship with Hossacks Solicitors is at such a low point at present,’ he added. ‘However, this is very much the exception, rather than the rule.’