Press Release

Major Legal Aid Fraud Trial Reaches Successful Conclusion

29 October 2004

The final case in a major fraud trial against the owner and employees of Robinson’s Solicitors has concluded today at Bristol Crown Court. A total of 22 people, including the owner of the firm Timothy Robinson, have been convicted of Conspiracy to defraud the Legal Aid Board and sentenced to more than 32 years imprisonment – either suspended or actual. Timothy Robinson was also ordered to pay the Legal Services Commission £532,275 in compensation (which has been paid).

Timothy Robinson formed Robinson’s Solicitors in Cheltenham in the 1970s. By the early 1990s the firm had expanded and had offices in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bristol and Swindon and were one of the largest legal aid firms in the country, receiving around £3 million per annum from the legal aid fund.

The fraud, which was committed between 1989 and 1995, centred on the “Green Form” scheme. This was the scheme that the Legal Aid Board had in place to allow solicitors’ firms to provide initial advice and assistance.

Commenting on the conclusion of the trial today, Geoff Mountjoy, Regional Director of the Legal Services Commission for the South West, said: “The Legal Services Commission are extremely pleased that Timothy Robinson and his employees have been brought to justice. We would like to congratulate all the police forces involved in this complex case on its successful outcome.

“The administration of legal aid was completely changed when the Legal Services Commission (LSC) replaced the Legal Aid Board in April 2000. The “Green Form” scheme, which Mr Robinson and his employees used to defraud the legal aid fund, has been replaced. Before the LSC was created any solicitors’ firm could do legal aid work. Nowadays, only solicitors’ firms that have a contract with the LSC can do legal aid work. To get a contract the firm must pass a quality assurance audit. We also carry out further audits on an annual basis to ensure that solicitors’ firms are carrying out the work they are claiming payments for.”

Media information

Richard Shand: Tel: 020 7759 0491

Notes to editors

The Legal Services Commission helps people obtain publicly funded legal and advice services. Its work is particularly important in ensuring that the vulnerable and socially excluded have access to justice. It replaced the Legal Aid Board in 2000 and is an independent public body, sponsored by the Department for Constitutional Affairs. This financial year, it will spend around £2 billion on legal services, mainly through its two schemes in England and Wales: the Community Legal Service and the Criminal Defence Service.
The Robinson’s Solicitors firm involved in the fraud was closed down in 1995. There is no relationship between that firm and the Robinson’s law firm operating in Canterbury.

Last updated: 28 December 2006