The Law Society has reiterated its opposition to plans for Crown Court judges to be given powers to strike off solicitors charged with fraud, even when they have been acquitted of any offence.

The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, outlined the proposal in a consultation paper published in July. She said the measure, which could see solicitors removed from the roll for up to 15 years, was needed to prevent fraudulent solicitors repeatedly offending.

At present, only High Court judges and the Master of the Rolls can discipline solicitors, but their powers are rarely used as matters are referred to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Russell Wallman, the Society’s director of government relations, said decisions about solicitors' professional status should be taken through well-established procedures for dealing with professional discipline: ‘It is unacceptable to suggest that Crown Court judges should be able to impose sanctions against solicitors who have not been convicted of any offence.’

See Joshua Rozenberg