A law firm has been closed down after its sole practitioner and his wife were suspected of dishonesty.

Michael Joseph Lyons ( SRA ID 272166) and his wife Kelly Lyons worked at the recognised sole practice, Lyons Solicitors, which is based at 57 William Street, Herne Bay, Kent.

On its website, which no longer seems to be active, the law firm claimed: “We pride ourselves on forging long terms relationships with our expanding client base. The key to our firm’s success, in addition to giving sound advice based on a good understanding of clients’ overall position and needs, is centred on our policy of fairness, clarity and communication.”

However, the Panel of Adjudicators at the SRA decided it needed to intervene into the practice of Mr Lyons at the firm after the Committee was satisfied that he and the firm had failed to comply with rules  in section 31 and 32 of the Solicitors Act 1974.

The Panel was also satisfied that there was reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Mr Lyons and his wife, Kelly Lyons, who was also an employee of the firm, in connection with the recognised sole practice of Lyons Solicitors.  

The regulator felt that intervention was necessary in order to protect the interests of Mr Lyons’ clients, or any of his former clients. The SRA commented that the firm was closed down following the decision to intervene with Mr Lyons, the sole practitioner of the company.

Philip Barden of Devonshires Solicitors, 30 Finsbury Circus, London, has been appointed as the intervening agent and any enquiries should be made to him on 0207 628 7576.