James Ramsden QC appears for The Law Society before the Court of Appeal in landmark case to determine the extent of the Law Society's rights on intervention into a solicitors' practice

James Ramsden QC appeared this week for The Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority before the Court of Appeal (The Chancellor, Flaux LJ & Baker LJ) in a landmark case to determine the extent of the entitlement of the Law Society on intervention into a solicitors' practice. In particular, the Court of Appeal was asked to determine whether the statutory trust created on intervention extended not just to monies held by the practice at the date of intervention but also to monies previously paid away to third parties in breach of the Solicitors Accounts Rules. The Court of Appeal was also asked to consider what liability the intervened solicitor has to account for monies improperly paid away from the practice and which by his fault are rendered irrecoverable.

Judgment was reserved.