The work of a long-established Fife law firm has been suspended while an investigation is carried out into its accounting records.
The Law Society of Scotland has asked the Court of Session to appoint a judicial factor to legal firm McQuittys in Cupar.
The Law Society confirmed yesterday that the sole partner, William Walls, had had his practising certificate suspended.
The interim judicial factor, who acts independently of the Law Society, was appointed by the court last Wednesday.
The judicial factor is Eileen Blackburn, of French Duncan, chartered accountants in Edinburgh.
A Law Society of Scotland spokesman said: “The application was made to the court to protect clients’ interests after the Law Society raised concerns about the firm’s accounting records. The practising certificate of the firm’s solicitor partner is currently suspended, which means they cannot practise, and this will remain the case until further notice.
“The judicial factor will continue to run the business and respond to any queries from clients.”
The judicial factor is an officer of the court and acts independently of the Law Society of Scotland.
The Law Society of Scotland carries out regular inspections of all solicitor firms in Scotland to ensure that they comply with rules on dealing with clients’ money.
If an inspector suspects that client money is missing, has been misused, or the accounting records are so poor they cannot tell if client money is missing or has been misused, the Law Society of Scotland can request the Court of Session to appoint a judicial factor to that firm to protect the public and other solicitors.
The decision to make the appointment is for the court and means that the judicial factor takes over the running of the firm on a temporary basis. The solicitor partners at the firm are suspended until further notice.
McQuittys is a long-established legal firm, formed in Cupar in 1980. Mr Walls took over the business in May 2000.
McQuittys describes itself as a modern firm, striving for customer satisfaction and quality service. Services include property purchase and sale, property re-mortgages and estate agency services.
Mr Walls could not be contacted for comment.