2 solicitors from same firm forced to stop trading

A conveyancing law firm has been forced to close after the Solicitors Regulation Authority suspended its two partners after suspect dishonesty.

Roland Cassam and Peter Rhidian Lewis of Temple Law Solicitors, 49 Cardiff Road, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2DQ, were partners at the firm and dealt in commercial property, commercial services and residential conveyancing. They have now both had their practising certificates automatically suspended.

The SRA intervened in the firm after suspected dishonesty on the part of Roland Cassam and a failure to comply with the Accounts Rules on how solicitors handle the money of their clients on the part of Peter Lewis.

The intervention means the SRA has closed the firm with immediate effect along with stopping the firm from operating along with taking possession of all documents and papers held by the firm.

The regulator will also take possession of all money held by the firm, including client money, but will not be responsible towards employees or trade creditors of the firm.

Paul Caldicott of Blake Morgan LLP, New Kings Court, Tollgate, Eastleigh has been appointed as the intervening agent, he will assess all on-going matters and deal with those of greatest needs first.

The SRA will now complete its investigation and decide on the appropriate course of action. There is no timescale for how long this work will take.

Disciplinary proceedings could either be a sanction carried out by the SRA if agreed by one its independent adjudicators, 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).