Fraud probe at collapsed firm

Detectives are probing allegations surrounding Dixon, Coles and Gill, which had offices in Wakefield and Horbury.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “A 66-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the investigation and has been released on police bail. Enquiries are ongoing.”

The practice, which specialised in family law, closed on January 29, with solicitors transferring to others in the district.

A voice message on the firm’s phone says: “The legal practice of Dixon Coles and Gill closed its doors for the last time on Friday 29 January after providing legal services to the people of Wakefield and beyond for more than 200 years.”

A spokesman for the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which monitors standards and performance in the industry, said the firm closed without intervention from the regulatory body.

He said: “We only step in if we think client interests are put at risk. We are in contact with the firm about its situation. “

A former client, who did not want to be named, said he believed the firm had around 7,000 customers.

He said: “The staff seem quite open about what has happened – that the company has lost a lot of money and they had to close as a result. I’m having to fork out for a new will and various other things.”

A Dixon, Coles and Gill spokesman thanked clients for “their loyalty and friendship”.