No more legal aid for Hamilton firm
2 Apr 07
Paul McGowan & Co removed from SLAB list of providers following compliance audit
A Hamilton legal firm has been removed from the list of those that can provide legal aid following an investigation by the Scottish Legal Aid Board.
Paul McGowan & Co Solicitors, 79 Quarry Street, Hamilton and its sole partner, Paul McGowan, now cannot provide criminal legal aid or criminal advice and assistance. The investigation took place after a routine compliance audit by board staff.
This is only the fourth time that the board has had to use its powers to stop a firm and solicitor from doing criminal legal assistance work. Over the past two years the firm has claimed over £300,000 in legal aid payments.
The board has a substantial programme of monitoring and investigating legal aid expenditure involving both legal aid applicants and the legal profession.