Solicitors who employed a struck-off lawyer have been suspended from practising law for a week.

Seven partners from Alfred Truman, based in Sheep Street, Bicester, allowed banned solicitor Victor Harris to work for them, a conduct committee was told.

David Coxall, John Rowles-Davies, John Whetter, John Duckworth, John Meakin, and Roderick Fowler, admitted employing and paying Harris at a solicitors' disciplinary tribunal in London on Thursday.

Another former partner, Michael Honniball, admitted knowing the firm had hired Harris, but contested his guilt because he was working in a different department.

Harris was expelled from the legal profession in October 1991 for breaching accounts rules and misappropriating clients' funds.

But Harris was employed at Alfred Truman for three years between 1996 and 1999. A complaint was made to the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors by another legal practice after Harris became involved in a conveyancing matter.

Jon Goodwin, for the OSS, said the partners of the firm were equally responsible for breaking strict professional guidelines.

He said the rules served to protect the good reputation of the profession which would be at risk if the safeguards did not exist.

Andrew Hopper, representing Mr Whetter and Mr Duckworth, both 58, and Mr Fowler, 45, said: "It was an innocent mistake. There is no impropriety here."

The three men have now set up Whetter Duckworth Fowler, High Street, Kidlington.

Mr Coxall, 58, and Mr Meakin, 45, remain partners with Alfred Truman.

Mr Honniball, 52, runs Honniball and Co, Upper High Street, Thame.

Mr Rowles-Davies, 31, has established RDA Associates, Meadow Row, Buckingham.

Tribunal chairman Alan Ground said: "We think there are significant mitigating circumstances and are prepared to impose a week's suspen- sion."

The six who admitted the charge were ordered to pay £500 in costs. Mr Honniball was ordered to pay a total of £2,400.