17 November 2011
Solicitor fined £5,000 for failing to cooperate with ombudsman
A solicitor has been fined £5,000 plus £15,500 costs by the high court for failing to co-operate with an investigation by the legal ombudsman (LeO). Howard Young, a solicitor who practised for CMG Law in Bolton, failed to provide documents to enable the ombudsman to investigate a case.
Mr Justice Lindblom, the presiding judge, said he would consider imposing a custodial sentence in future cases. Lawyers risk an unlimited fine or a two year prison sentence if they fail to co-operate.
Chief ombudsman, Adam Sampson, said: “We are pleased with the clear support from the courts for the ombudsman’s role.”
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