A top Bradford city centre law firm is at the centre of an inquiry into legal aid payments.

The offices of William Hicks and Partners, in Piccadilly, have been closed since Monday.

The Legal Services Commission (LSC), that looks after legal aid payments in England and Wales, has confirmed it is investigating alleged discrepancies.

An LSC spokesman said: "There are issues that have arisen with William Hicks & Co in relation to an imbalance between payments and claims that we have been working with the firm to resolve.

"The Legal Services Commission has a number of arrangements in place that allow solicitors to be paid money on account for legal aid work, provided they subsequently claim for the work and it is assessed by us as payable."

The spokesman added: "Should the firm cease trading the Commission will take appropriate steps to recover any money owed to it."

No-one from the LSC was willing to speak further about the investigation or give details about the amounts of public money involved.

The firm also has practices in Carlton Street, Halifax and Netheroyd Hill Road, Huddersfield. The T&A was told partners in the firm - William Hicks, a former policeman, and Ian Hudson - were unavailable for comment.

A sign put up on Monday on the firm's door in Bradford informed clients the business was would re-open the next day. But, yesterday, the offices remained locked.

A recorded phone message informs callers the offices are closed and directs them to leave a message.

The company specialises in corporate and employment law, commercial property, residential conveyancing, family law and divorce, criminal law and personal injury claims.

The case has been referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT), a statutory tribunal whose primary function is to consider and adjudicate on professional misconduct or breaches of professional rules by solicitors.

A spokesman confirmed: "The firm has been referred to the SDT but a date has not yet been set for the tribunal."

The SDT also refused to give further details.

The SDT's powers are provided by the Solicitor's Act 1974. It is constitutionally independent of the Law Society although its administration is funded by the society.

Under the Solicitor's Act 1974 a tribunal can strike off, suspend, reprimand, fine or ban a solicitor.

A spokesman for the Law Society refused to comment.