A solicitor who refused to settle a pnds stlg 2,50

A solicitor who refused to settle a pnds stlg 2,500 bill was today (THURS) struck off the professional roll.

Ruth Werbiski, 50, owed the cash to a firm she used as expert witnesses in a civil case.

They later charged her for the work – but she paid less than half the bill.

Werbiski, who was later declared bankrupt, has now been removed from the Law Society’s roll.

The Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal in central London today heard how the woman was working for her own firm, Ruth Werbiski & Co in High Wycombe, Bucks, when the incident happened in 1993.

Geoffrey Williams, for the Law Society, said she instructed Hazardous Analysis Ltd, of Guisborough, Cleveland, to act as expert witnesses in a case.

They later sent her a bill, but Werbiski only paid pnds stlg 1,000 of it.

Despite legal judgments for her to pay the rest Werbiski has still not settled the account.

Mr Williams said: ‘While not being dishonest, it’s a serious example of misconduct.

‘

Werbiski, who did not attend the hearing, had also failed to submit accountants’ reports for 1997 and 1998, despite being given 14 days by the Law Society to do so.

Mr Williams added: ‘This is another example of her ignoring the resolutions of a professional body.

‘It may be that financial problems lay behind this, but if accountants’ reports are not delivered, the Law Society cannot properly regulate the profession.

‘

Werbiski, of Glebe Close, Holmer Green, High Wycombe, was struck off the Roll of Solicitors, and ordered to pay more than pnds stlg 3,589 costs.

Chairman John Clitheroe said: ‘We regard the conduct of the respondent as a flagrant disregard of the rules and conduct of the profession.

‘Her failure to comply with the resolutions of professional bodies is also disgraceful.

‘

ends