A solicitor collapsed and was rushed to hospital t

A solicitor collapsed and was rushed to hospital today (Thurs) as she was accused over a pnds stlg 250,000 hole in her firm’s client accounts.

Valerie Harris, 54, crumpled into a heap and remained unconscious for several halfway through the disciplinary hearing in the City of London.

Shocked staff at the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal in Farringdon St called for an ambulance as the lawyer lay motionless on the floor.

Her law firm partner, Bhavana Jani, 55, also accused of dishonesty, wept as her colleague was tended to by onlookers and even journalists reporting on the case.

But Mrs Harris regained consciousness before paramedics arrived minutes later to take her to the Royal London Hospital.

The two solicitors had been accused of moving funds from client into office accounts and then drawing on cheques made out for ‘cash.

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The allegations relate to their partnership, Harris and Co, with offices in Craven Park Rd, Harlesden, northwest London and Perronet House, St Georges Rd, Elephant and Castle, southeast London.

Law Society investigators were called in July last year after the firm had not filed their accountant’s reports for the previous year.

But a probe soon uncovered a massive cash shortages totalling pnds stlg 244,364.

05 from the accounts of nine clients.

‘They indicated that they were not in a position to replace those funds,’ said Katrina Wingfield, for the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors.

The firm was subject to intervention last September following the investigation.

‘I allege dishonesty on the part of both respondents,’ said Miss Wingfield.

The hearing was told numerous cheques for thousands of pounds were made out in cash.

Ms Wingfield told the panel: ‘You will find office account statements which show transfers in of the same amount from client accounts and cheques going back out within a few days.

‘All of these cheques are made payable to cash.

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Accountants also found unallocated transfers totalling pnds stlg 293,223.

85 on the ledgers.

‘A letter sent to both respondants dated September 27 requesting an explanation of these matters.

‘A wholly unsatisfactory explanation was received from the respondents,’ added Miss Wingfield.

Harris and Jani, both deny dishonesty, but admit breaches of accounts rules and failing to deliver an accountant’s report.

Marcus Baldwin, acting for both lawyers, was about to mitigate, when Mrs Harris fainted.

After learning that Mrs Harris had been taken to hospital the tribunal adjourned the hearing until August 7.

ends