Board and society row over audit

THE LEGAL Aid Board has attacked the Law Society, claiming it named a London law firm whose franchise was suspended.

But society head of professional policy Russell Wallman says the accusation is a bid to divert attention from the board's "disgraceful" behaviour over the suspension.

Evans Butler Wade is threatening the LAB with legal action following the suspension last month.

But the firm is also understood to be unhappy about the publicity over its suspension in the Law Society Gazette, which Wallman insists is editorially independent.

The board has agreed to re-audit the firm but chief executive Steve Orchard says he is "very surprised" that the society revealed the name which the board considered confidential.

The firm, backed by the society and represented by Bindman & Partners, was unavailable for comment.