4 Aug 2010

Lawyers being investigated over legal aid bills

6:15 am on 4 August 2010

The Legal Services Agency is investigating six lawyers over their billing practices.

A report last year by Dame Margaret Bazley suggested as many as 200 lawyers may have been abusing the system.

The agency says it has received complaints about some lawyers from fellow lawyers, and judges, and has also picked up issues through its own audits.

It will not say which lawyers it is now investigating.

Last month lawyer Chris Comesky was suspended for nine months after pleading guilty to charges which included overbilling the Legal Services Agency.

The Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal says it was particularly troubled by claim by Mr Comeskey that unlawful practices in relation to legal aid were standard practice.