AN "unstable" solicitor who locked out an accountant investigating a string of blunders at her law firm was suspended indefinitely from the profession on Thursday, December 6.

Patricia Pattison, 45, whose last known address was Whitley Close, Abbots Langley, broke strict rules by failing to keep her law firm's books properly up to date, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in London was told.

An accountant from the Law Society was forced to resort to unusual methods when called in to examine the ledgers, the hearing was told.

Miss Michelle Bridgewater said: "I did speak to Miss Pattison but she did have a habit of avoiding me to the extent that I was having to post notes under her door."

Pattison shut herself away in her office and refused to answer telephone calls, the tribunal was told.

Miss Bridgewater added: "She seemed to be a little unstable at that time, but that is my personal opinion.

"It is very strange how she locked me out, effectively."

Pattison was not present at the hearing, after the tribunal was told she was suffering from ill-health.

Mr Chris Bonney-James, for the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors (OSS), said the misconduct happened when the lawyer ran her own firm Pattisons, based in Russell Square, Holborn.

Miss Bridgewater, a chartered accountant was called in by the OSS in February 2000, after Pattison failed to file her accounts reports.

The investigator then discovered the firm's ledgers were not up to date, said Mr Bonney-James.

Pattison told the accountant the reason for the neglect was due to problems with the firm and because of her ill-health.

After an investigation, the Law Society took over the running of the firm.

Mr Bonney-James said Miss Pattison had informed him she was made bankrupt and had fallen on hard times.

He said: "Her house has been re-possessed. She is living with friends. She continues to suffer from illnesses."

The tribunal found Pattison had failed to maintain properly written up books of account; failed to deliver accountants reports; failed to comply with a Law Society Committee decision; failed to deliver a bill of costs; failed to act in the best interests of clients; and failed to reply or delayed in replying to correspondence from the OSS.

Ordering Pattison be suspended indefinitely, tribunal chairman Mr David Leverton said: "This is not the most serious of cases and it has not been put on the basis of dishonesty.

"It is a case of muddle and we accept there is a medical background.

"We have come to the conclusion there needs to be protection as far as the public is concerned."

Pattison was also ordered to pay costs to be assessed.

December 13, 2001 16:00