The UK Law Gazette
Former human rights lawyer Phil Shiner pleaded guilty to fraud at Southwark Crown Court yesterday, a day before his trial was due to start under strict reporting restrictions.
Shiner, 67, was the principal solicitor of Brimingham-based firm Public Interest Lawyers. He led the pursuit of legal claims against British soldiers accused of ill treatment of Iraqi detainees after the 2003 Iraq war.
The fraud convictions relate to claims made after the alleged killings of Iraqi civilians by British army personnel at the so-called ‘Battle of Danny Boy’ in May 2004. One of those who died was Hamid Al-Sweady. His uncle, Khuder Al-Sweady, alleged the 19-year-old had been unlawfully killed by British soldiers.
Shiner made legal aid claims of around £200,000 in 2007 for his firm to represent clients, including Khuder Al-Sweady, in an application for judicial review. He failed to disclose to what was then the Legal Services Commission (now the Legal Aid Agency) that his firm had engaged in cold-calling clients and making unsolicited approaches to potential clients in Iraq.
He also failed to disclose that he was paying referral fees, which was not permitted as part of gaining a legal aid contract.
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