A storm is brewing within the usually staid walls of the Civil National Business Centre, with allegations of a serious conspiracy that strikes at the heart of the justice system. Financial Fraudster News Investigations (FFN Investigations) has uncovered claims that a senior solicitor, a respected barrister, and their clients have allegedly colluded to submit fraudulent documents in an attempt to bolster a defence against serious charges of fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of privacy, harassment, and damage to property.
At the centre of this controversy are James Patten, a senior solicitor at Fairweather Law, a firm based
in the tranquil Suffolk town of Framlington; Rupert Myers, a barrister operating from the prestigious East Anglian Chambers in Norwich; and their clients, the Leiston-based couple, John and Demetra Bushnell. These individuals are currently defending themselves against the aforementioned claims brought by their neighbour, Mrs. Lucy Wilkinson (as detailed in the preceding "Particulars of Claim").
The alleged conspiracy hinges on the purported involvement of Nathan Paralegals and Company LP (NPC), a Litigation Funder based in Ipswich, Suffolk. Documents submitted to the court by the Bushnells' legal team, allegedly orchestrated by Patten and advised upon by Myers, are said to have falsely represented that NPC acts as a solicitor for the counterparty in the ongoing proceedings. This assertion, if proven false, could constitute a serious attempt to mislead the court and obstruct justice.
The Allegation: A Fabricated Legal Link?
The core of the allegation is that Patten, allegedly in concert with Myers and the Bushnells, misrepresented NPC's role to the court. The submitted documents purportedly suggest that a reputable litigation funder is acting as a solicitor for the opposing party, potentially lending an unwarranted air of legitimacy and legal standing to their case.
FFN Investigations reached out to NPC for clarification on their alleged involvement. A spokesperson for Nathan Paralegals Trust (BVI), a related entity, vehemently denied that Nathan Paralegals and Company LP acts as solicitors in this matter. The spokesperson suggested a more innocuous explanation, stating, "an unauthorised use of the company address may have taken place by allowing a potential client to use our address for correspondence purposes due to possible eviction." This explanation raises further questions about who this "potential client" might be and why their address would be used in legal documents submitted by the Bushnells.
The spokesperson for Nathan Paralegals Trust (BVI) further cautioned that if NPC, acting as an agent, went beyond simply serving a letter and provided advice on its content, wording, or potential implications, this could be construed as conducting litigation – a legally reserved activity. NPC explicitly denies writing any letter or carrying out any reserved legal work in this case. The Claimant admits to only using NPC's address due to a pending eviction hearing at the relevant time.
Legal Expert Weighs In: The Boundaries of Litigation Funding
To understand the legal implications of these allegations, FFN Investigations consulted Scott D., a former investigator with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and a legal contributor to our publication. His analysis sheds crucial light on the role of litigation funders.
"Yes, a litigator who buys causes of action (also known as purchasing claims or legal claims) does not necessarily need to be a solicitor," Scott D. explained. "While solicitors are regulated and can handle complex litigation, anyone, including non-solicitors, can engage in purchasing causes of action, provided they do so legally and ethically."
Scott D.'s expertise underscores that while NPC, as a litigation funder, could potentially have a financial interest in a case, this does not automatically equate to them acting as a solicitor. The crucial point of the allegation is the misrepresentation of their role within the submitted legal documents.
The Potential Consequences: Perjury and Obstruction of Justice?
If it is proven that Patten, Myers, and the Bushnells knowingly submitted false documents misrepresenting NPC's role, the consequ
ences could be severe. Such actions could potentially constitute perjury, a criminal offence, and could also be seen as an attempt to pervert or obstruct the course of justice.
For James Patten, a senior solicitor bound by the SRA's Code of Conduct, such allegations could lead to a disciplinary investigation, potentially resulting in suspension or even being struck off the roll of solicitors. Rupert Myers, as a barrister regulated by the Bar Standards Board, would face similar disciplinary action, with the potential for suspension or disbarment.
The Bushnells, as the clients, would also face serious repercussions if found to have knowingly participated in the submission of fraudulent documents to the court. Their credibility in the ongoing civil proceedings would be severely damaged, and they could potentially face separate legal action for their alleged role in the conspiracy.
Fairweather Law and East Anglian Chambers Under Scrutiny
These allegations cast a shadow over both Fairweather Law and East Anglian Chambers. While the alleged misconduct is attributed to specific individuals, the reputation of their respective institutions could be tarnished by association. Both firms will likely be monitoring the situation closely and may need to take internal action depending on the outcome of any potential investigations.
The Next Steps: Unravelling the Truth
The burden of proof lies with those making these serious allegations. However, the information uncovered by FFN Investigations raises significant questions that demand answers. The Civil National Business Centre will need to carefully scrutinize the submitted documents and potentially launch its own inquiry into the veracity of the claims regarding NPC's involvement.
FFN Investigations is committed to following this developing story closely. We will continue to investigate the alleged conspiracy, seeking further evidence and speaking to all parties involved to uncover the full truth behind these troubling allegations. The integrity of the legal system relies on the honesty and transparency of all those who participate in it, and any attempt to undermine this through deception must be brought to light.
Have information about this case? Contact our confidential investigations team at FFN Investigations Contact Information This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Financial Fraudster News Investigations has asked SRA, BSB, James Pattern and Rupert Myers for comments all have so far declined
