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Miners' solicitors breached code Miners' solicitors breached code
(10 minutes later)
A firm of solicitors in Barnsley deliberately breached a code of conduct over miners' compensation claims, a tribunal has ruled.A firm of solicitors in Barnsley deliberately breached a code of conduct over miners' compensation claims, a tribunal has ruled.
Six partners at Raleys took a deliberate and calculated risk to break the rules and collect £32m in fees.Six partners at Raleys took a deliberate and calculated risk to break the rules and collect £32m in fees.
Partner Ian Firth was suspended for four years, David Barber for two years and Jonathan Markham for six months.
Three junior partners were each fined £10,000. All the solicitors had denied any wrongdoing.
The hearing in London ruled that an agreement made with Zuko Legal, a so-called claims farm, was against the professional code of conduct.The hearing in London ruled that an agreement made with Zuko Legal, a so-called claims farm, was against the professional code of conduct.
The solicitors, who had denied any wrongdoing, will be sentenced later. Years of good service to their community and their clients has been thrown away with their previous reputation Tribunal chairman David Leverton
The partners found to have breached the code were named at the tribunal as David Barber, Ian Firth, Carol Gill, Jim Gladman, Jonathan Markham and Katherine Richards. The three junior partners fined are Carol Gill, 38, Jim Gladman, 49, and Katherine Richards, 40.
All were named at the tribunal.
Tribunal chairman David Leverton said "every partner knew they were breaching the code by making the agreement".Tribunal chairman David Leverton said "every partner knew they were breaching the code by making the agreement".
'A tragedy'
He said the tribunal took a "serious view" of this and said Raleys made the deal because they realised the practices would "lose their last chance to make a huge amount of money" if they had abided by the code.He said the tribunal took a "serious view" of this and said Raleys made the deal because they realised the practices would "lose their last chance to make a huge amount of money" if they had abided by the code.
'A tragedy'
The Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal was also told the partners compromised their independence and integrity through their close ties with the NUM.The Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal was also told the partners compromised their independence and integrity through their close ties with the NUM.
The hearing was told the NUM recommended that Yorkshire members seeking compensation for illnesses used Raleys' practice.The hearing was told the NUM recommended that Yorkshire members seeking compensation for illnesses used Raleys' practice.
A percentage of the workers' payouts then went back to the NUM.A percentage of the workers' payouts then went back to the NUM.
Mr Leverton said the case was a "tragedy for Raleys".Mr Leverton said the case was a "tragedy for Raleys".
"Years of good service to their community and their clients has been thrown away with their previous reputation," he said."Years of good service to their community and their clients has been thrown away with their previous reputation," he said.
Gregory Treverton-Jones QC, representing the solicitors, said the lawyers genuinely believed the NUM agreement to be in their clients' best interests, and that they had acted in good faith.Gregory Treverton-Jones QC, representing the solicitors, said the lawyers genuinely believed the NUM agreement to be in their clients' best interests, and that they had acted in good faith.
The tribunal heard the firm earned £72m for its handling of claims for respiratory disease and vibration white finger.
Mr Treverton-Jones said all the money earned came from legitimate fees, and that the practice was investigated by the Law Society in 2000 for similar issues, but exonerated.
The tribunal ruled Mr Firth, 60, bore a "heavy responsibility" in the case, followed by Mr Barber, 44, and Mr Markham, 46.
Junior partners - Ms Gill, 38, Mr Gladman, 49, and Ms Richards, 40, - played a lesser role.
Mr Treverton-Jones said the ruling was "very hard" for his clients to take, as they acted in good faith and were "committed and able solicitors".