Town law firm shut in ‘dishonesty’ claims

AN ORMSKIRK law firm has been shut down amid claims that its management acted “dishonestly”.

Ice Blue Legal, based on Church Street, has been closed down following an intervention from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The firm’s offices, website and phone line have all been closed down.

According to the SRA, there is reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of the firm’s manager, Barbara Gribbin.

Ms Gribbin has been automatically suspended, meaning she cannot practice as a solicitor.

According to Companies House, she has previously been involved in two other firms which have since been dissolved - Davies & Gribbin Solicitors LLP and My Accident Solicitor Limited.

The SRA say the intervention came after Ms Gribbin failed to comply with the rules made under Sections 31 and 32 of the Solicitors Act. An intervention means the SRA has closed the firm with immediate effect and stopped it from operating.

It has also taken possession of all documents and papers held by the firm, as well as all money held by the firm, including clients’ money.

John Owen, of Gordons LLP, has been appointed as the intervening agent and customers with queries are advised to contact him on 01274 709 521 or intervention@gordonsllp. com

The SRA will now further investigate the issues raised that have led to this intervention, to see if any additional action is necessary.

At this stage of the SRA’s work, no further details can be disclosed and there is no timescale for how long this work will take.

Further action against solicitors could either be a sanction carried out by the SRA, and could be as severe as a reprimand or a £2,000.

If it is decided that a stiffer punishment is required, the SRA will prosecute the matter at the independent Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT).

The SDT can levy unlimited fines and prevent solicitors from working either by suspending them or removing them from the altogether.

Another Ormskirk law firm, Dickinson Parker Hill, is offering to help those affected to retrieve their legal documents, including wills, deeds, powers of attorney, leases, free of charge.

Partner at Dickinson profession Parker Hill, Michael Prendergast, said: “Former clients of Ice Blue Legal will undoubtedly be concerned about where there important legal documents are, and how they go about getting hold of them.

“We are happy to help those people who would like to retrieve their documents, free of charge, and give them any additional advice they may need once those documents have been obtained.”

Anyone needing help can contact Dickinson Parker Hill on 01695 574 201.