A law firm which earned more than £150,000 in legal aid last year has been barred from work in the field, officials said yesterday.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board removed Paul McGowan & Co Solicitors in Lanarkshire and its sole partner, Paul McGowan, from its register of criminal legal aid lawyers.

This means neither Mr McGowan nor the Hamilton-based firm can give criminal legal aid or criminal advice and assistance. Last year, the firm's legal aid earnings totalled £159,200.

An investigation of the company was sparked by a routine audit, usually carried out every two to three years.

Individual firms and solicitors must meet the standards of service for management and administration systems, quality of service and standards of professional conduct set out in Code of Practice for Criminal Legal Assistance.

The inquiry revealed the company was not complying with that criteria.

"A key part of the board's work is investigating and pursuing abuse of legal aid," it said in a statement. "This work is important in protecting the legal aid fund and the taxpayer.

"It is also a protection for the vast majority of legal practitioners who provide a quality legal service with honesty and integrity."