The Solicitors Regulation Authority has rebuked a law firm partner found to have made payments to witnesses that were dependent on their evidence or on the outcome of the case.

The regulator published a notice today detailing the sanction made against solicitor Steven Eldred, based in the Southampton office of south-east firm Thomas Eggar.

Eldred, admitted in 1997, whose LinkedIn profile describes him as a noise-induced hearing loss ‘guru’, also withheld client account cheques from an after-the-event insurance company. He was found to have broken two SRA rules and given a written rebuke, as well as made to pay costs.

The SRA has also published an order relating to a non-solicitor former staff member at Thomas Eggar.

Michael Elliott, also based at the Southampton office, was found to have failed to inform clients of his financial interest in a medical agency and had used a photocopy signature of his team leader in order to request cheques.

Elliott, of Portsmouth, will be prevented from working in the legal profession again without permission from the SRA.

In a statement, the firm said it had conducted a ‘thorough investigation’ into the conduct of the pair and neither works for the firm in any capacity.

It added: 'Thomas Eggar LLP promptly reported this matter to the SRA and took measures to satisfy all parties that no client has been adversely affected.’