Aberdeen law practice has judicial factor appointed

Aberdeen law firm Matthew Cohen & Associates is in the charge of a judicial factor following an intervention by the Law Society of Scotland.

Morna Grandison, the Society's director of interventions, was appointed by the Court of Session yesterday after an inspection by the Society's financial compliance team of the firm’s books raised concerns about the accounting records.

The Society’s Client Protection Subcommittee suspended solicitor Matthew Cohen, principal at the firm, from practice on Thursday 7 December. He is unable to practise as a solicitor until further notice.

The judicial factor will take appropriate steps in connection with the ongoing management of the practice and respond to queries from clients.

Lorna Jack, chief executive at the Law Society of Scotland, commented: "We take our responsibility to protect the public extremely seriously and set and enforce high standards for Scottish solicitors. We have a range of consumer protections in place including carrying out regular inspections and investigations into the books, records and conduct of law firms in Scotland.

"We can confirm that we suspended Mr Cohen from practice following an inspection by the Law Society’s financial compliance team, in advance of today’s appointment of a judicial factor.

"The Judicial Factor will now secure the premises of Matthew Cohen and Associates Limited and all of the accounting records and make arrangements for the continuation of ongoing legal work."

Clients of the firm who have any queries can contact the Society on 0131 476 8195.