'Suspected dishonesty' at law firm investigated

A NEWCASTLE law firm which closed after trading for more than 100 years in the city is being investigated by the UK legal watchdog amid "suspected dishonesty" involving the company's owner.

- COREENA FORD Business writer [e-mail]

Samuel Phillips Law had been based within an office in this building on Grey Street, Newcastle

Historic legal firm Samuel Phillips Law, which had an office on Grey Street, Newcastle, closed suddenly at the start of the month with the loss of all jobs.

Former employees as well as those who suddenly found themselves out of work posted on social media about the shock closure of the business, which dates back to 1919.

It had been based for many years at the bottom of Westgate Road in offices which were sold to pub chain Wetherspoon.

However, a small sign saying 'closed' was found attached to the buzzer at the front of its Newcastle building last week, and calls to its offices also went unanswered.