Gpb solicitors llp closure

4consumerrights

THE SOLICITORS REGULATION AUTHORITY (SRA) HAVE PUBLISHED ON THEIR WEBSITE THEIR INTERVENTION AND CLOSURE OF GPB SOLICITORS LLP.
THE DECISION WAS MADE 9TH OCTOBER 2013

The full details of the decision can be read on their website
Sadly I have not made enough posts to post a direct link. However on to the SRA website. The quickest way to find this info:
Click on Consumer tabs, then under the problems with solicitors tab; click on "recognising fraud and dishonesty" which brings up new page. Click on "scam alerts" and on the right hand side of recent closures and prosecutions is listed GPB Solicitors at top. The full decision can be read by clicking on this.
:beer:
Hope instructions are clear enough:j

Good news and a possible useful tool in any upcoming defences. I would use this information in any upcoming court cases which have been sent these letters from GPB as an additional resource for the judge to consider. Obviously a good defence is also required!:T:rotfl:

esmerobbo

http://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/solicitor-check/solicitor-check/560888.page

Will be interesting to see what happens to the claims they recently issued. Roxburghe are not doing too well on the solicitors they use are they!

http://www.gpbsolicitors.co.uk/closed.html

Stroma

Does then mean that the claims going through the process cannot then be defended by them ? Also wouldn't it be prudent to enclose that with any claim they are making?

Decision details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

The Committee decided to intervene into the practice of GPB Solicitors LLP.
Reasons/basis

The Committee is satisfied in accordance with paragraph 32(1)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985 (as amended) that GPB Solicitors LLP has failed to comply with rules applicable to it by virtue of section 9 of that Act.

The Committee is satisfied in accordance with paragraph 32(1)(d) of Schedule 2 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985 (as amended) that there is reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of a employee of a recognised body in connection with that body's business, namely Mr Daniel Clarke, an employee of the firm, in connection with the firm’s business.

The Committee is satisfied in accordance with paragraph 1 (2) (a) of Schedule 14 of the Legal Services Act 2007 that one or more of the terms of the licensed body’s license have not been complied with.

The Committee is satisfied in accordance with paragraph 1 (2) (d) of Schedule 14 of the Legal Services Act 2007 that there was reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of any manager or employee of the licensed body namely Mr Daniel Clarke, an employee of the licensed body, in connection with that body’s business.

kirkbyinfurnesslad_2

Good point! I wonder Wht he had done or wt his role was therr

Stroma

Their website is shut as well
http://www.gpbsolicitors.co.uk/closed.html

Stroma

I notice that one of their websites is still up, wonder if a complaint to the SRA is in order?
http://www.gpblitigation.co.uk/

Folkiedave

I'd say "yes" and ASAP.

fermi

http://www.sra.org.uk/sra/news/press/gpb-intervention.page

9 October 2013

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has intervened into the practice of Mr Simon Andrew Clive Newbold, Ms Zakia Khalid and Mr Roy George at GPB Solicitors LLP based at GPB House, Arden Court, Arden Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6NT.

The current Practising Certificates of Mr Newbold, Ms Khalid and Mr George have been suspended as a result of the intervention decision, so they cannot practise as a solicitor.

The grounds of intervention for GPB Solicitors LLP and Mr Newbold, Ms Khalid and Mr George are:

• Reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of an employee of GPB Solicitors in connection with the practice
• Failure to comply with the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules 1998 and the SRA Accounts Rules 2011

An intervention means the SRA has closed a firm with immediate effect. We will stop the firm from operating, take possession of all documents and papers held by the firm (including clients' papers), and take possession of all money held by the firm (including clients' money). We are not responsible towards employees or trade creditors of firms that we have intervened in.

The SRA has appointed an agent to deal with all live matters currently being dealt with by GPB Solicitors. The agent will assess all on-going matters and deal with those of greatest need first. The SRA's archive team will take control of all other documents and archived files held by the firm.

Clients of GPB Solicitors who feel they have an urgent matter that needs attending to can contact the agent on 01274 703903 or by e-mailing [EMAIL="gpb@gordonsllp.com"]gpb@gordonsllp.com[/EMAIL]. Clients who do not feel they have matters that need urgent attention do not need to contact either the agent or the SRA at this time.

At this stage of the SRA's work, no further details can be disclosed. It is only if disciplinary proceedings become necessary that any information is released into the public domain.

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). The SDT can levy fines of more than £2,000 and is the only body that can order a solicitor be removed from the Roll.

More on GPB Solicitors intervention

zzzLazyDaisy

Fantastic news! Proof that complaining to SRA does work.

And it is not just about out and out dishonesty.

Check out version 8 of the SRA handbook, published 1st Oct 2013 - particularly compliance with the Principles that are all-pervasive and mandatory.

http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/code/content.page

For some time I have been advising people in battle with PE (and other PPCs) over their refusal to comply with the practice direction to COMPLAIN to the SRA. (An in-house legal dept counts as a form of solicitors for these purposes, and the supervising solicitor is personally responsible for overseeing compliance by the staff employed by the legal dept).

Another string to our bow.

Are you reading Rachel? You can run but you can't hide! Better get your act together - is it really worth risking your Practicing Certificate for these scammer?

Daisy

Umkomaas

No doubt Rachel's forum mole will be scurrying along the corridor with this in their hand - '[Text removed by MSE Forum Team] ......'

Hopefully the SRA will be rattling her cage very shortly. She must be a person of some intelligence to get where she is (solicitor I mean - but it seems to have deserted her when taking up the PE post), so you would have thought she would realise she's on more and more shaky ground now as the pressure mounts from all angles.

Rachel, your livelihood must be at some risk? Get out of it now while you can, maybe come and join 'our side', it will help in your absolution when you get to purgatory :rotfl:

HO87

Thank you for setting things out so succinctly zzzLazyDaisy. The firm's card had been firmly marked back in the summer when two of its number pleaded guilty at a Solicitors' Disciplinary Hearing (albeit a somewhat historical matter). The SRA had had numerous complaints regarding GW Solicitors involvement with Roxburghe's and Roxburghe's themselves remain under OFT supervision and investigation. One wonders whether the two issues are in some way connected?