A LAWYER from Blackburn is to set to face a legal disciplinary hearing over allegations that £1.6million was ‘improperly used’ for an investment firm.

Saimina Jan-Virmani, managing partner at Joseph Frasier Solicitors in Lions Drive, has been referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal over a series of claims.

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The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has reported that there was a case to answer over an allegation that she ‘used £1.6million received from an investment fund in circumstances in which it was improper to do so’.

It is further claimed that she ‘did not ensure that the intended use of the investment money was properly documented’ and ‘did not exercise the degree of competence and care the public would expect of a solicitor’.

It is further alleged she ‘did not pay the investment money into client account’ and ‘did not run her firm in accordance with proper governance and sound financial/risk management principles’.

An authority spokesman said: “The allegations are subject to a hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and are as yet unproven.

“This is an independent tribunal which will reach its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the solicitor.

“The tribunal has certified that there is a case to answer in respect of (the) allegations.”

The practice, based at The Beehive, was named legal firm of the year in the Red Rose business awards in 2015.

Saimina Jan-Virmani was unavailable for comment.