Legal eagles at war after new firm moves in to Chester

Jul 14 2011 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

A ROW is brewing in the legal community after a Manchester firm moved in to provide a duty solicitor service in Chester.

Established city practices which provide a defence service to people accused of criminal offences are unhappy because Howards Solicitors does not have a permanently staffed office in Chester.

Complaints have been made to the Legal Services Commission, which runs the Legal Aid scheme in England and Wales, but the company insists it is not in breach of its contract with the Commission.

Howards rents a meeting room at Regus House on Chester Business Park which is used for interviews and covered by a general receptionist, but there is no external phone number.

Managing partner Oliver Gardner, of Howards, told the Chronicle the issue was being stirred up by rivals worried about extra competition.

He said: “The office is serviced and therefore manned all day. It is true that there is not always a solicitor present but that is because our advocates are often at court or police stations. You will find this is the case with all criminal law offices.”

Mr Gardner said clients were often seen at the Chester office and there had been ‘no complaints’.

He added: “We have been in Chester less than a year and are developing the base there, it will take time to build up but we do plan to open a high street front on the next two to three months.”

Legal Services Commission spokesman John Soonaye would not comment on if the LSC was looking into the complaints.

He said: “Our priority is to ensure our clients receive access to the services they require.ŠThe LSC takes allegations of possible breaches of contract very seriously. We will always investigate these, and where necessary will take action.”