A former equity partner with Thompsons Solicitors has agreed to come off the roll after trying to mislead the firm over his relationship with a colleague.
Richard John Cartwright had an intimate relationship with the colleague, named only as Person A in the Solicitors Regulation Authority decision notice, and then tried to phone her repeatedly when the firm investigated what had happened. But when questioned by the firm, he denied the relationship had happened and that he had tried to contact Person A.
He later admitted his recklessly misleading responses to the firm and cooperated with an SRA investigation. He has agreed with the regulator to remove himself from the roll within 14 days.
The notice explained that concerns were raised in 2019 about Cartwright’s conduct including the nature of his relationship with Person A. He was suspended while the allegations were investigated and Cartwright agreed with the firm not to contact or have any communications with colleagues in the meantime. He met with the firm four weeks later and denied the allegations, including the relationship with Person A.
But a day later he contacted Person A numerous times and in one call, lasting 17 minutes, discussed the investigation.
He resigned in 2020 but initially denied attempting to contact Person A, before then admitting to the relationship and to making contact during the investigation.
Cartwright told the SRA he initially denied the relationship because of the personal nature of the matter and potential embarrassment it could cause them both. At the time of the conduct he was not working due to ill health. He has not practised since March 2020 and has no intention of returning to the profession.
The SRA said Cartwright made a ‘serious error of judgement’ but caused no harm to any parties from what was an isolated incident.
He must seek SRA permission for any application to return to the roll and must not be employed by any regulated firm. Cartwright agreed to pay £600 costs.
