An unnamed solicitor who does not currently work in the legal profession has been struck off the roll after he admitted asking clients to pay fees into his personal bank account.
Respondent AN, admitted in 2019, was granted anonymity by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal after the panel found the publication of the judgment in an unanonymised format would ‘significantly violate’ their right to life ‘such that a departure from the usual principles of open justice was necessary’. The anonymity application had been based on ‘the risk arising to Respondent AN’s health’ from any publication of a public judgment.
In an agreed outcome, AN admitted he had asked Client A to pay £292.50 to his personal bank account; created an invoice, which was never provided to Mr and Mrs Client B, in the sum of £924 when actual costs due were £474; received £450 in cash in relation to Mr and Mrs Client B’s matter without providing any receipt or record of such payment; and asked Client C to pay £200 to his personal bank account.
A fifth allegation was withdrawn.
All allegations related to AN’s conduct between April and May 2021 while he was employed by a firm and conducting legal work including that which related to the sale and conveyance of property. AN does not have a current practising certificate.
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The SDT said: ‘In the circumstances where dishonesty had been admitted and no exceptional circumstances were put forward in mitigation this was not a case where the tribunal could reach any decision on sanction other than the one set out in the document with which it had been presented.’
No application for costs was made. The tribunal ordered AN to be struck off and made no costs order.
