An assistance scheme that has been helping troubled solicitors for 34 years could be forced to close, it emerged this week.

The Solicitors Assistance Scheme (SAS) faces an uncertain future as a result of the Law Society's reorganisation into separate regulation and representative bodies. It is concerned that its funding will evaporate if neither side takes responsibility.


The SAS, which has 78 panel members located across the country, assists almost 1,000 solicitors a year on a budget of £8,000.


It offers counselling and professional advice to lawyers on disciplinary proceedings, employment matters, criminal charges, financial difficulties, bereavement and drug and alcohol addictions.


SAS chairman David Morgan said: 'There is a danger that we could just wind up. We have contributed a lot to keeping the cost of regulation down. For example, our members go in to wind down practices that would otherwise by intervened in [at greater expense].'