Lawyer suspected of dishonesty at work

Oct 14 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal

A YOUNG solicitor who built up a firm with dozens of staff and a multi-million-pound turnover has been suspended from practising law after concerns about dishonesty.

Malcolm Graham, 32, built up his SFM Legal Services business from a base on Team Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead.

But now the offices are empty and the firm has closed, though a website still operates.

Mr Graham, of Whickham Lodge Rise, Whickham, expanded rapidly from formation in 2003 and was best known for work in wealth management, through a company called FM Wealth Management, which no longer trades.

In February last year, SFM said it was enjoying sales of £4m with 60 staff and predicted those numbers would double within 18 months. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) said yesterday Mr Graham had been suspended, pending further investigation, but it would not comment further.

A report in the Law Society Gazette said Mr Graham’s case had been heard by the professional regulation adjudication panel of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The SRA had intervened in his practice “on the grounds of a reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Mr Graham in connection with his practice as a solicitor practising as SFM Legal Services Ltd”.

It also said there was “reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of an officer or employee in connection with the business of SFM Legal Services”.

The statement from the SRA concluded: ”By virtue of section 91(2) of the Courts & Legal Services Act 1990, Mr Graham’s practising certificate has been suspended with immediate effect.”

No date has been set for a further hearing, but Mr Graham’s case may go to a solicitors disciplinary tribunal. The SFM Legal Services website advertises “a wide range of services provided by a team of experienced professionals who work together to ensure that we provide clients with an exceptional service”.

John Wood, of Blackett Hart & Pratt at Belmont Business Park in Durham, has been appointed SRA agent. He is responsible for looking after case files until they are taken on by other solicitors.

An SRA spokeswoman said sanctions open to a disciplinary tribunal ranged from a reprimand to Mr Graham being struck off as a solicitor.

The Journal was unable to contact Mr Graham yesterday.