Former Hogan Lovells partner also investigated by Solicitors Regulation Authority
A renowned insolvency lawyer at the centre of a £1m expenses scandal is being investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and City of London Police.Christopher Grierson, a leading City litigator on fraud and insolvency, was sacked from Hogan Lovells for an alleged £1m expenses fraud that he has now repaid in full.
Hogan Lovells reported the case to the regulator and the City of London Police. Grierson was dismissed after an investigation by Hogan Lovell’s finance team found evidence of alleged false expenses claims in the four-year period until the end of 2010.
The SRA will present the findings of its investigation – likely to take several months – to the solicitor’s disciplinary tribunal. The tribunal will then decide on a response, which could include disbarment or a substantial fine.
A spokesman for the SRA said: “We have launched an investigation and the firm is co-operating fully”.
A spokesman for Hogan Lovells said: “We have now recovered the money owed to us and have notified the City of London Police”.
Grierson had worked on a number of significant international cases, including working with Grant Thornton to help creditors recover money from Bernard Madoff’s assets in Europe.