Law firm accused of taking taxpayers for a ride

Over the last two years, solicitors from the Dundee firm have driven to the Dungavel detention centre, near Strathaven in South Lanarkshire, as part of its 600,000 legal aid claims for immigration and asylum cases there.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (Slab) said Bruce Short & Co - named under a freedom of information application - had travelled to the centre "for financial rather than case-related reasons".

The board said the practice had led to substantial changes in the future handling of cases.

In all, 84 per cent of the firm's aid fees for asylum and immigration cases came from Dungavel clients, which accounted for almost 310,000 in 2009 and more than 288,000 last year.

A report by Slab said: "The volume of cases emanating from Dungavel has increased dramatically in the last two years, with expenditure on cases for those detained there more than tripling from 219,000 in 2008 to 713,000 in 2010.

"A significant amount of the cost relates to travel, which is also environmentally damaging."

Bruce Short & Co - identified under freedom of information legislation but not in the Slab report - was found to be making bail applications in secondary meetings with clients, the day after the first meeting, when a full statement was taken.

This required an additional 200-mile, four-hour round trip from Dundee.

The report said: "The ability to generate significant fee claims from travel might incentivise the making of additional trips, even if the work to be done was in fact necessary."

Immigration judges also told the board they did not need a full statement to accompany bail applications.

The report stated: "It appears the travel, the attendance and the framing of the statement itself are unnecessary and appear to be undertaken for financial rather then case-related reasons."

The board vowed to pump money into the Immigration Advisory Service, including an on-site service at Dungavel to slash travel costs. Fees available for travel have already been reduced by the Scottish Government across all legal areas.

One solicitor, who asked not to be named to protect his clients, said Glasgow solicitors were, in particular, frustrated with Bruce Short & Co for having "two to four" solicitors on hand every day, and for filing bail applications "they will never get".

He added: "The Scottish Legal Aid Board is not happy because some solicitors are taking the p***, and lawyers are not happy because it reflects badly on us."

Colin Lancaster, Slab's director of policy and development, said it hoped that reducing travel fees by 50 per cent would encourage firms to work more cost effectively.He said: "The board has monitored the situation over recent years and has secured regulatory changes by the Scottish Government and taken other initiatives to ensure spend on these types of cases represents best value for the taxpayer, whilst ensuring those who need help continue to receive it."

The majority of legal services are provided from Glasgow, where most asylum seekers live, or Edinburgh, where the Court of Session deals with appeals.

A spokeswoman for Bruce Short & Co said it had no comment.