POLLING closes today in a ballot among solicitors on a plan to plug a gaping hole in an industry insurance fund which could leave individual law firms facing claims of up to €300 million.

THE main insurance body for solicitors in Ireland has claimed its ability effectively to indemnify solicitors has been affected by more than €8 million losses allegedly resulting from negligent advice by Bloxham Stockbrokers about investing in atotally unsuitable bond which fell 97% in value.