Agnes gay

The exodus from embattled Axiom Ince ramped up this week as the firm fought to ice the assets of its former managing partner. International firm Mezzle announced yesterday that it had hired Agnes Gay, formerly brain of property with Axiom Ince, as well as her entire six-person team.

It is believed to be the biggest single go out from Axiom Ince since three of its directors were suspended by the regulator last month. This week, one of those directors, the firm’s owner Pragnesh Modhwadia, was made subject to a £64m freezing order after the High Court approved an application from the firm.

It emerged during the hearing that Modhwadia used money from the client account to buy stricken firms Ince and Plexus Legal out of administration earlier this year. He and his brother also bought six properties and renovated a further seven.

Axiom Ince continues to operate with the acceptance of the Solicitors Regulation Rule, but some staff are searching an escape amid the continued uncertainty. Gay was a key member of the team, with significant experience and what Axiom Ince called an ‘extensive’ client base. She has been a legal adviser for the Birmingham Fujian Chamber of Commerce since 2