Sponsored by
Solicitor in care-home cases denies misconduct
A LAWYER who made her name fighting the closure of council care homes across the country is facing a misconduct hearing for inciting a media campaign.
Yvonne Hossack has hit the headlines over a number of controversial cases, including her dogged efforts to help Hull residents oppose closure of a council-owned care home.
But councils in Northamptonshire, Hull and Staffordshire all complained to the Law Society that she has forced them to waste time and money fighting hopeless cases.
Yesterday, the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal was told that Ms Hossack, 52, had overstepped her role by encouraging clients to protest against service cuts. She also went "off on frolics of her own" by launching legal action without instructions from clients.
But Ms Hossack, who lives in Kettering, has claimed that the charge of conduct unbefitting a solicitor is an attempt to restrict the right to free speech.
She denies six breaches of rules governing solicitors' conduct.
Jon Goodwin, for the Solicitors' Regulatory Authority, said it was "undeniable" that Ms Hossack was a caring individual. The issue was whether she had conducted herself in an "appropriate" way. He said: "We submit her conduct was not appropriate."
In December 2007, Ms Hossack made an application for urgent interim relief relating to the transfer of three men from council-owned Rokeby House in Hull.
It was dismissed because the lawyer was not instructed by the clients, who had an independent mental incapacity advocate.
In a letter to the Law Society, Ms Hossack complained she was being criticised for "trying to prevent risks to the lives of three men".
Mr Goodwin said she was not being criticised for seeking to save lives, but for applying for people who were not her clients.
He said: "To condone such behaviour would be to encourage solicitors to go off on frolics of their own."
The hearing continues.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
