A LAWYER whose firm helped out dozens of victims of Yorkshire Asset Protection has warned that other 'conmen or cowboys' could easily set themselves up as will-writing experts.

Peter Gibson, managing director of leading Yorkshire law firm Coles Solicitors, said there was no regulation of will-writing, and anyone could set themselves up as an expert in the field after undergoing as little as a one-hour training session.

He said such people did not even have to take out professional indemnity insurance before launching their business, leaving customers at even greater risk if their ventures got into difficulties.

He spoke out yesterday after fraudsters Michael John Wild and Robert Henry Holly, who targeted elderly people in and around York, were convicted of fraud and consumer law offences on Tuesday and told to prepare for a jail sentence.

The pair, who ran a quasi-legal and financial scam through their York-based business YAP, raked in more than £30,000 by conning customers out of hundreds of pounds each with false claims about the law, and either didn't provide the services they said they would or provided worthless documents, Leeds Crown Court was told - although Holly disputed the figure.

When The Press first revealed in August 2013 how Stamford Bridge widow Lynda Madden had been left thousands of pounds out of pocket by YAP over a funeral plan for her late husband Noel that hadn't paid out, many other YAP victims came forward.

Several told The Press they had paid YAP to draw up their wills and the firm had put the signed documents in storage, and they were now unable to retrieve the papers.

Coles then stepped in to help trace missing wills and review any documents prepared by the firm, free of charge. Mr Gibson said then he felt compelled to respond, and invited people to phone his firm to speak to one of its “trusted, experienced solicitors.”

Coles subsequently received wills and lasting power of attorney documents for 192 YAP customers, and the firm organised an open evening to discuss matters face-to-face with customers.

Mr Cole said yesterday that while there were perfectly honest and decent will writers, Government legislation was needed to regulate the area. But until that happened, people who wanted a will drawing up should contact an independent, regulated solicitor who specialised in the field.

He added that people could check a firm's credentials with a quick visit to the Law Society's website.