Decisions and interventions

The SDT ordered that the respondent should be struck off the roll. 

While initially an employee (unadmitted) and later as a solicitor in practice at Clayton Mott, Grafton House, 67 Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7LA, and while acting under a lasting power of attorney for client A, the respondent had abused her position by misappropriating £7,850 from client A’s bank account, thereby breaching principles 1, 2 and 6 of the SRA Principles 2011. She had acted dishonestly.

(The respondent had been convicted of fraud by abuse of position, contrary to section 4 of the Fraud Act 2006, on 3 December 2021.)

The parties had invited the SDT to deal with the allegations against the respondent in accordance with a statement of agreed facts and outcome.

The SDT had reviewed all the material before it and was satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the respondent’s admissions had been properly made.

A criminal conviction, particularly one involving a gross breach of trust and a vulnerable victim, was extremely serious. The damage to the reputation of the solicitors’ profession was profound and irreparable.

The SDT had noted the matters set out within the non-agreed mitigation, but notwithstanding those matters it had decided that the present case was not one where it could find or be directed to any exceptional circumstances such as to permit it to reach any decision on sanction other than to strike the respondent’s name from the roll.

The SDT ordered that there be no order for costs.

On 17 June 2024, the adjudicator resolved to intervene into the above-named former sole practice of Michael David Long, formerly at 468 Church Lane, Kingsbury, London NW9 8UA.

The firm closed on 15 October 2019.

The ground for intervention was: it was necessary to intervene to protect the interests of former clients of Long, and/or the interests of the beneficiaries of any trust of which Long is or was a trustee – paragraph 1(1)(m) of Schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended).

No intervention agent has been appointed. The SRA will be making arrangements to take possession of practice documents and monies relating to this firm.

The intervention notices were served on 18 June 2024.

On 14 June 2024, the Adjudication Panel resolved to intervene into Seth Law Limited of 2 Atlas House, St Georges Square, Bolton BL1 2HB. Following a winding-up order, the firm closed on 28 April 2024, and an official receiver was appointed.

The ground for intervention was: it was necessary to intervene to protect the interests of clients (or former clients of the firm (paragraph 32(1)(e) of Schedule 2 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985 (as amended)).

Samira Mohamed Seths’s practising certificate is not suspended by reason of the intervention.

John Owen of Gordons LLP of 1 New Augustus Street, Bradford BD1 5LL (tel: 0113 227 0391; email: intervention@gordonsllp.com) has been appointed as the intervention agent.