Laois solicitor responds to High Court order directing practice be suspended
Solicitor Philip Meagher
A WELL-KNOWN Portlaoise-based solicitor has responded to a High Court order directing that his legal practice be suspended.
The Law Society of Ireland brought a disciplinary case against Philip Meagher from Midland Legal Solicitors to the High Court seeking his suspension.
The High Court made an order on Thursday 1 October suspending the 57-year-old from practicing and prohibited him from acting as a solicitor.
It also ordered ‘that no bank shall, without leave of the court, make any payment out of the client account of Philip Meagher the respondent solicitor, Midland Legal Solicitors or any account in the name of the Rrespondent solicitor's practice.’ The case is due back before the High Court on Friday 9 November.
Speaking with the Laois Nationalist, Mr Meagher said: “Further to the recent court order, I am now positively engaged in a process with the Law Society. This process will incorporate a number of various constructive proposals to move forward from this point, details of which are actively being worked on.” He said: “The primary concern raised by the law society had been addressed prior to the order. Unfortunately, my ability to properly oversee all appropriate governance procedures was severely compromised due to the huge demands on my personal time for the past number of years.
“I am obviously personally very embarrassed after 35 years in practice of this position, particularly as I was planning to retire next year in any event. I assure all of our clients of our total commitment to complete ongoing issues with the assistance of the Law Society and in the context of the order and our proposals to them. I would like to thank all those of my long-standing clients and former colleagues who have messaged their kind support.” A notice posted on his offices at Clarmallagh House, Railway Street advises the public that his practice is temporarily closed until Monday 12 October.
