Holiday sickness claims farmer stripped of licence
- Category: Personal Injury
- Date: 05-09-2017
A farmer from Yorkshire who was accused of making false holiday sickness claims has been stripped of his licence.
John Smith, 62, was found to have made numerous false claims for holiday sickness compensation, following a two-year investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
This is one of the first cases of its kind since the SRA’s new regulations came into force earlier this year, making it mandatory for lawyers to investigate any claims that they believe to be fraudulent.
Smith reportedly made claims for “stomach bugs†during trips to Spain and Greece. However, the SRA found that he had never actually taken the holidays, or suffered any illness at all.
The investigation is believed to have cost the SRA over £50,000, and Smith has now been stripped of his licence and prohibited from practicing law.
The SRA’s director of legal and enforcement, Paul Philip, said: “This case shows that we will take tough action against those who make false claims for compensation. Not only does this kind of behaviour threaten the integrity of the legal system, it also costs taxpayers a huge amount of money.â€
Philip went on to say that the SRA will continue to investigate any claims it believes to be fraudulent. “We will use all available powers to protect the public from those who seek to make a quick buck by abusing the legal system,†he added.