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SRA shuts down firm touted as UK's 'best criminal law specialists'

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has shut down a Manchester-based legal business that described itself as ‘the best criminal law specialists in the UK’.

In an intervention notice, the SRA announced that it has intervened into Abbott Legal Ltd (trading as Abbott & Company, Abbott & Company Solicitors and XYZ Law) because ‘there is reason to suspect dishonesty’ on the part of solicitor Umar Vachhiat in connection with his practice at the firm. Vachhiat’s practising certificate has been suspended.

The SRA said Vachhiat, as manager of the firm, and the firm itself had failed to comply with the SRA principles, accounts rules and Code of Conduct.

According to Abbott & Co Solicitors' website, the ‘client-centric, full service’ law firm has been providing advice since 1982 and described itself as 'the best criminal law specialists in the UK'. Dewsbury, West Yorkshire-based affiliate XYZ Law comprised nine partners, 14 solicitors and two managers.

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criminal law