A SOLICITOR in Bournemouth has had his right to practise suspended over suspicions of dishonesty.

Richard Sedgley and Co, based at Old Christchurch Road, has been closed by the industry’s regulator.

Clients’ money and documents have been taken over by another practice as intervening agent.

A statement from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) said: “The Solicitors Regulation Authority has intervened into the practice of Richard Sedgley & Co at 228-230 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.

“The practising certificate of Richard Sedgley has been automatically suspended, so he cannot practise as a solicitor.

“The grounds of intervention are that we suspect dishonesty.

“An intervention means the SRA has closed a firm with immediate effect.

“We will stop the firm from operating, take possession of all documents and papers held by the firm – including clients’ papers – and take possession of all money held by the firm, including clients’ money.

“We are not responsible for employees or trade creditors of firms that we have intervened in.

“The SRA has appointed an agent to deal with all matters currently held by Richard Sedgley & Co. The agent will assess all on-going matters and deal with those of greatest need first. The SRA’s archive team will take control of all documents held by the firm.”

The statement said clients did not need to contact the agent or the SRA yet, but that anyone who needed further information could contact the intervening agent,

Karen Thompson of Lester Aldridge LLP, on 01202 786 341.

It said no further details would be revealed. Further information would only be released if disciplinary proceedings became necessary.

The statement added: “The SRA will now complete its investigation and decide on the appropriate course of action. There is no timescale for how long this work will take.”

Richard Sedgley was principal and solicitor in the firm, whose website says he started in law in 1972 and qualified in 1978, when he went to work for a large practice locally. He set up his own practice in 1988.

He was a past president of Bournemouth Rotary Club and founding trustee of the Sakya Thubten Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre Bournemouth.