A firm of solicitors has been closed down by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority amid allegations of dishonesty.
The Hansell Wilkes firm was shut down just before Christmas as regulatory officials moved in to confiscate and safeguard hundreds of files stored at the offices at St George's Chambers, 14 Newcomen Road, Dartmouth.
The company's bank accounts have been frozen and clients are being advised to find a new solicitor.
This week the Solicitors Regulation Authority confirmed it had been forced to carry out an 'intervention' at the firm which until now has been operated by solicitor Richard Wilkes.
The authority confirmed an investigation had been started into conduct at the company and that was continuing.
Its website stated: 'The Committee was satisfied that grounds for intervention existed under Paragraph 1(1)(a) of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended) because there is reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Mr Wilkes.
'The Committee was further satisfied that grounds for intervention existed under Paragraph 1(1)(c) of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended) because Mr Wilkes had failed to comply with the Solicitors Regulation Authority Accounts Rules 2011 and the Solicitors Regulation Authority Principles 2011.'
The authority stressed the action being taken has nothing to do with the similar sounding Dartmouth firm of solicitors Hansell Drew and Co which is sited a short distance away at 49 Newcomen Road.
Hansell Wilkes own website states the company has been operating in Dartmouth for more than 30 years.
It declares: 'Our practice was established in 1979 and is situated in the town centre. We are a friendly, forward-looking and experienced firm of lawyers able to deal with all manner of personal and corporate issues.'
Solicitors Regulation Authority officials moved in to the Newcomen Road offices on Monday and spent the day collecting files as part of their investigation.
Clients who visited the offices were advised to find a new solicitor.
An authority spokesman said he could not say much about the investigation because it could eventually result in court proceedings.
He said that a locum solicitor was being brought in to carry on working on the files that needed urgent attention.
'For those matters which do not need urgent attention we will write to all the clients and say that they need to get different representation and advise where they can get professional help.'
The authority has the power to institute proceedings that could see a solicitor struck off and barred from practising law. If criminal activities are suspected it could be handed over to the police to deal with.
The spokesman said the authority would be taking over the firm's files which would be stored in a safe place and anyone who wishes them to be returned to them can apply to the SRA.