The law firm accused of misusing lasting powers of attorney to the financial detriment of vulnerable clients, subject of a BBC documentary investigation, will not confirm if it will press ahead with legal action against the broadcaster. It has also declined to answer questions put by the Gazette about its financial position since the broadcast.
Essex firm Craybeck, an alternative business structure regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, has a single solicitor, partner Asher Alain Bornstein. Allegations relate to the conduct of his colleague, non-solicitor Ron Hiller, appointed as attorney for scores of clients.
In December journalist Sue Mitchell wrote on BBC Online: ‘We investigated 30 cases involving Mr Hiller and his firm, Craybeck Law, and found a disturbing pattern of events: people found they had no access to their bank accounts and no idea how much Mr Hiller was charging for being their attorney; large amounts of cash were withdrawn without a reasonable explanation; properties were sold for what owners and others considered was lower than market value, and possessions were cleared and disposed of without owners’ knowledge or informed consent.’
At the time, the firm denied the allegations and said: ‘Much of what has been put to us is inaccurate and is based on second- or third-hand hearsay.’
A spokesperson also told the Gazette the firm had self-reported the allegations to the SRA, and was considering legal action against the BBC. A long statement was published on the firm’s website denying the allegations.
The statement has since been deleted. The Gazette asked the communications agency that Craybeck has engaged to deal with media enquiries, Byfield, if the firm was now taking legal action following the conclusion of the documentary series. A spokesperson said: ‘There is nothing they want to add to what has already been said at this time.’
The Gazette also asked if the media coverage had affected the firm’s fee income.
A spokesperson for the SRA told the Gazette: ‘If there were financial stability issues at the firm, then they have an obligation to inform us of that, and we would monitor the situation to make sure the interests of clients were protected. If there was a risk, then we’d intervene.’
Craybeck Law, which describes itself as ‘a trusted and friendly solicitors situated in Benfleet, Essex with capacity to support clients in the Home Counties’, continues to offer its full range of private client services, including LPAs, wills, probate, adult safeguarding and ‘managing incapacity’.
- Byfield, speaking for Craybeck Law, has since said the firm’s statement on the BBC investigation, once removed from the firm’s home page, was subsequently reinstated elsewhere on its website.
