News In Focus
7 February 2007
SLAB acts against solicitor in cash payments probe
The Scottish Legal Aid Board announced today that it has removed the firm of Robert Taylor, 102 Bath Street, Glasgow and its partner, Robert Taylor, from the list of solicitors registered to provide criminal legal assistance.
The removal follows an investigation into information provided by the Daily Record. In November the newspaper alleged that Mr Taylor was giving out £5 notes to heroin addicts in return for them signing legal aid advice and assistance forms. Solicitors are not allowed to offer inducements or expenses for business.
As a result of the Board's decision Mr Taylor and his firm now cannot provide criminal legal aid or criminal advice and assistance.
The Board has an ongoing programme of monitoring and investigating legal aid expenditure involving both legal aid applicants and the legal profession, in order to prevent abuse of legal aid. A statement today confirmed that it is currently working with Crown Office on a number of investigations involving solicitors, applicants and legally-aided assisted persons.