Lawyer Larry Scott is hoping to start practising again after being barred for accountancy errors.

He was suspended for three months, from December 1, after a tribunal upheld a client's complaint.

Mr. Scott said he had held funds paid by two clients in the same account. He said: "I overspent one to the detriment of the other."

The former United Bermuda Party Senator said he had repaid the funds "as quickly as possible under a scheduled payment."

He said he had hundreds of thousands of dollars going through his accounts for conveyance work.

Although the suspension is over Mr. Scott is still unable to work as a lawyer because he does not have a practicing certificate for the current year.

Mr. Scott blamed this on a late audit of his books and said he hoped to apply for his licence back "any day now".

"I am a little behind in my accounts. I do my own accounting. I had plenty of time to get that done. It's small practice, it's just a matter of getting it all in place."

He said the audit was to go to the Bar Council yesterday. He said: "Hopefully in the next couple of days they will sent out the certificate.

When The Royal Gazette called Mr. Scott yesterday a receptionist said he was with a client. But he denied he had been practising as a lawyer.

He said: "I am not working until I receive a certificate." He said he had been with a client in his management services firm.

Bar Association President Trevor Moniz said there were complaints made about lawyers which went to tribunal hearings but disbarment was very rare.

Mr. Scott hit the headlines in April last year when former United Bermuda Party Cabinet Minister John Irving Pearman petitioned to have Mr. Scott made bankrupt to recover a $140,000 debt.