Judge Demands Legal Board Pay Defendants Costs

Tue, 30 Jun 2009

The Scottish Legal Aid Board has been ordered to pay a man’s legal costs for his defence against allegations brought against him by a former partner. William Bohannon faced two actions which he successfully defended but was left with lawyers bills exceeding £33,500, leaving his facing possible bankruptcy . The judge has since approved the request on the grounds that Mr Bohannon would otherwise suffer financial hardship.

The charges were brought by his former partner Carol Young, whose solicitors were paid for by taxpayers cash. Despite frequent requests from Mr Bohannon’s solicitors to suspend the legal aid granted to Carol Young, no action was taken.

The legal wrangle surrounded a loan issued by Mr Bohannon to Mrs Young, known as Ms Ballard at the time. Mr Bohannon claimed to have loaned her £50,000 to set up a beauty salon and made her sign a personal bond for the money. He claims she had since refused to repay the money, prompting Mr Bohannon to have her sequestrated. Mrs Young subsequently raised court action seeking to recall the sequestration and have the alleged personal bond set aside. Mrs Young claimed the document was a fabrication and was able to make her case in court using legal aid.
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