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ONE of the founders of controversial Bolton solicitors Asons faces prosecution at a disciplinary tribunal over allegations of inflating costs and false claims.
Kamran Akram had his licence suspended and his practice shut down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) last March.
Following almost a year of investigation, the regulatory body has now confirmed that it will take the case to the independent Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
The tribunal could result in Mr Akram being struck off as a solicitor, or hit with other sanctions such as a fine or a further suspension.
The Churchgate-based law firm hit the headlines in 2016 after The Bolton News exclusively revealed that the company had received a £300,000 grant from Bolton Council.
After Asons ceased trading and became Coops Law last March, Mr Akram personally repaid the entire amount of the grant money to the council the day before Asons' offices were raided by the SRA.
The SRA returned to Churchgate last July to shut down Coops and said it had 'reason to suspect dishonesty' from Irfan Khan Akram — one of five brothers involved with the running of Asons.
The allegations against Kamran Akram to be considered at the tribunal, which are as yet unproven, date back as far as 2013.
It is alleged that, between late 2013 and early 2015, Mr Akram 'caused or permitted the presentation of applications for costs in personal injury claims which systematically misrepresented the grade of relevant fee earners so as to increase the level of recoverable costs'.
The further allegations are listed as: "Between late 2013 and early 2015, he caused or permitted the presentation of claims for special damages which contained particulars that were false in that the event, loss or treatment alleged to have given rise to the special damages claim had not occurred or did not exist.
"Between late 2013 and early 2015, he caused or permitted Asons to act in circumstances giving rise to a conflict of interest between Asons and its clients, specifically in relation to the resolution of personal injury claims.
"Between 24 September 2014 and 20 January 2017, he provided misleading information to the Court and/ or the SRA in relation to the false and inflated claims for costs and special damages presented on behalf of clients of Asons.
"Between 1 April 2013 and at least 18 April 2016, he caused or permitted payments of prohibited referral fees."
Mr Akram is also accused of failing to run Asons 'effectively and in accordance with proper governance and sound financial and risk management principles'.
Last February, Asons agreed to repay an insurance company almost £70,000 after admitting to falsely inflating its legal costs.
In October, the law firm was also found guilty at Nottingham County Court of gross failures in handling a personal injury claim.
A date for the tribunal hearing is yet to be set.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/15999365.asons-solicitors-founder-to-face-tribunal-prosecution-over-allegations-of-inflated-costs-and-false-claims/?ref=mr&lp=4
Kamran Akram had his licence suspended and his practice shut down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) last March.
Following almost a year of investigation, the regulatory body has now confirmed that it will take the case to the independent Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
The tribunal could result in Mr Akram being struck off as a solicitor, or hit with other sanctions such as a fine or a further suspension.
The Churchgate-based law firm hit the headlines in 2016 after The Bolton News exclusively revealed that the company had received a £300,000 grant from Bolton Council.
After Asons ceased trading and became Coops Law last March, Mr Akram personally repaid the entire amount of the grant money to the council the day before Asons' offices were raided by the SRA.
The SRA returned to Churchgate last July to shut down Coops and said it had 'reason to suspect dishonesty' from Irfan Khan Akram — one of five brothers involved with the running of Asons.
The allegations against Kamran Akram to be considered at the tribunal, which are as yet unproven, date back as far as 2013.
It is alleged that, between late 2013 and early 2015, Mr Akram 'caused or permitted the presentation of applications for costs in personal injury claims which systematically misrepresented the grade of relevant fee earners so as to increase the level of recoverable costs'.
The further allegations are listed as: "Between late 2013 and early 2015, he caused or permitted the presentation of claims for special damages which contained particulars that were false in that the event, loss or treatment alleged to have given rise to the special damages claim had not occurred or did not exist.
"Between late 2013 and early 2015, he caused or permitted Asons to act in circumstances giving rise to a conflict of interest between Asons and its clients, specifically in relation to the resolution of personal injury claims.
"Between 24 September 2014 and 20 January 2017, he provided misleading information to the Court and/ or the SRA in relation to the false and inflated claims for costs and special damages presented on behalf of clients of Asons.
"Between 1 April 2013 and at least 18 April 2016, he caused or permitted payments of prohibited referral fees."
Mr Akram is also accused of failing to run Asons 'effectively and in accordance with proper governance and sound financial and risk management principles'.
Last February, Asons agreed to repay an insurance company almost £70,000 after admitting to falsely inflating its legal costs.
In October, the law firm was also found guilty at Nottingham County Court of gross failures in handling a personal injury claim.
A date for the tribunal hearing is yet to be set.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/15999365.asons-solicitors-founder-to-face-tribunal-prosecution-over-allegations-of-inflated-costs-and-false-claims/?ref=mr&lp=4
