A HAMPSHIRE legal practice has been suspended following top-level concerns about its operations, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Smith & Co is being wound down by The Law Society after concerns about the way the business, which deals with issues such as conveyancing for house sales, was being run.

It suspended the practising certificate of Paul Smith and installed an agent to deal with any pressing matters from concerned clients.

Smith & Co's office at Water Lane, Totton, is closed, with four notices relating to the action pinned up on the glass front door.

One of them was a typed letter vouching for Mr Smith from a Dr C Pare, listing an address in Wimpole Street, London.

It stated: "To whom it may concern, I have known Paul Smith and his family for 30 years and I value highly both Paul and the rest of his family.

"Paul himself has been in practice as a solicitor in Southampton for ten years, and the fact that my daughter and son are both clients of his points to the trust we have in his conscientiousness and integrity."

Another notice asked for any personal correspondence for Mr Smith to be forwarded on to a solicitor in Epsom, Surrey.

Two other notices stated that the firm was closed and listed the name of the Law Society's agent dealing with matters south coast lawyers Blake Lapthorn Linnell (BLL).

A Law Society spokeswoman said: "We had grounds for concern about the way the practice was being run.

"The Law Society intervened in the practice of Smith and Co and has suspended the practising certificate of Mr Paul Nicholas Smith.

"We have appointed an agent to look after any clients matters."

It declined to comment on the reasons for the intervention, while BLL confirmed that it was the agent but declined to comment further.

Intervention is a power given to the Law Society by the Solicitors Act 1974.

It means that a Law Society-appointed agent, in this case BLL, controls a practice's money and files. In effect, the intervention amounts to immediate closure.

As part of its duties, BLL will verify Smith & Co's accounts and distribute any money held to those entitled to it.

It is not known how many clients the firm has.

One client, who declined to be named, said: "Mr Smith was dealing with my house sale, and he was a very nice, affable guy. I received a letter from BLL the other day saying that it has been empowered by the Law Society to deal with matters, but it would not say why."

Anyone with concerns should contact Richard Portlock of BLL on 01489 555020.

Mr Smith could not be contacted for comment.