A SUCCESSFUL solicitor struck off for "scandalous" mortgage fraud has been reinstated after the accusations were dropped.
Last September, Alexander Hamilton had his name removed from the solicitors' roll by a disciplinary tribunal.
But at a new hearing Mr Hamilton's name was restored to the roll, after the mortgage fraud allegation was dismissed and a number of other allegations relating to complaints from clients were dropped.
Mr Hamilton's lawyer, Heidi Bracegirdle, of Eversheds, in Manchester, said 11 outstanding complaints referring to paperwork and procedural issues, were left on file.
During the original hearing, Mr Hamilton did not defend himself because he thought the charges were minor and had retired from his company Hamilton Ward & Co - which had six offices in the North West - to care for Julie Andrew a friend and former colleague who was terminally ill and later died from breast cancer.
Hearing
The disciplinary tribunal hearing was instigated by the Law Society, the professional body for solicitors in England and Wales.
Today, Mr Hamilton said he was delighted to have been cleared of the original allegations but said he had no plans to go back to his previous career, having launched his own commercial property finance consultancy.
"Improper analysis of the documentation and failure to properly interview witnesses in this case led to a serious miscarriage of civil justice which has now been remedied," said Mr Hamilton, of Hale, Cheshire.
"I regret the distress and anxiety this has caused to me and my late friend in the last months of her life."
The Hyde branch of Mr Hamilton's firm became well-known during the Shipman murder investigation because a letter and will forged by the doctor purporting to be from former Lady Mayoress Kathleen Grundy was pushed through the office letterbox.
Mr Hamilton and the company's probate specialist, Brian Burgess were suspicious and contacted Mrs Grundy's family who brought in the police, sparking the serial murder investigation.