Tank-chasing lawyer Phil Shiner declares bankruptcy despite £1million business value in suspected bid to dodge £4million payout to taxpayers
Shiner was struck off for hounding British war heroes in an enquiry that did not produce one successful prosecution despite huge funds
THE solicitor struck off for hounding British war heroes has declared himself bankrupt — in a suspected bid to dodge handing back £4million to taxpayers.
Shamed tank-chaser Phil Shiner, 60, raked in millions in legal aid cash to bankroll his pursuit of troops.
A source said: “The unwritten understanding is he’s going bankrupt to avoid paying back huge sums he’s facing.”
His most recent accounts show his business worth more than £1million, sparking a riddle over where it’s gone.
The details, filed in December 2015, also showed his legal outfit, Public Interest Lawyers, had £190,000 in the bank.
Shiner, 60, applied to the Insolvency Service to be officially declared bankrupt on Tuesday.
Critics claimed the move was a bid to “wriggle” out of paying £4million back to taxpayers.
Land Registry documents show Shiner once owned two properties in Birmingham.
One is now worth £400,000 and the other £625,000.
Two months ago Shiner transferred the mortgage-free £400,000 property to his daughters Leisha, 27, and Bethany, 29 — who both worked for his Birmingham-based firm.
The switch could be seen as an attempt to shield assets from seizure by the authorities.
Solicitor Bethany worked on cases involving British troops and caused outrage after claiming lawyers were being made “scapegoats”.
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Last August, the Legal Aid Agency cancelled the bumper contract enjoyed by Shiner after an 18-month probe.
With no cash coming in, he had to close his firm the same month.
Shiner was struck off last month after being found guilty of misconduct charges. He has been ordered to pay at least £250,000 costs to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for his trial.
The Legal Aid Agency is aiming to recoup more than £3million — and the MoD “millions” more to cover unneeded costs defending themselves.
Where did all the money go?
£100million spent by MoD on legal fees and compo since witch-hunt began into outlandish war claims
£57million cost so far of the IHAT team’s probe into 3,281 claims against Army staff
ZERO prosecutions so far brought against any serving or military personnel by IHAT
His firm overwhelmed the controversial Iraq Historical Allegations Team — set up to probe alleged wrongdoing during the Iraq War — with dodgy claims against British troops.
In total the MoD has paid out more than £100million on legal costs and compensation.
IHAT has cost £57million to date probing 3,281 claims. It has not brought a single prosecution and is to be closed this summer.
Ex-commander of British Forces in Afghanistan Col Richard Kemp said: “It’s hard to find any sympathy for Shiner.
“He hounded many brave soldiers and wrecked their lives.”