Andrew Jeremy BlencoweAdmitted 1972Application 7992/1999Hearing, 27 January 2000;reasons, 24 March 2000

The SDT suspended the respondent, of Bedlam Ho, 9 Quebec Rd, Dereham, Norfolk NR10 2DR, who had practised as a sole principal, from practice for an indefinite period on 27 January 2000, for unbefitting conduct, in that he had failed to maintain his accounts and failed to effect reconciliations on client account, contrary to r.11 of the accounts rules; he had improperly withdrawn money from client account, contrary to rr.7 and 8 of those rules, and had used it for his own benefit and for that of other clients; he had failed to pay client money into client account, contrary to r.3; he had acted (or had continued to act) where a conflict of interests arose (or might have arisen) between the interests of clients; he had been guilty of unreasonable delay in the administration of an estate; and he had failed to act in the best interests of a client, contrary to r.1 of the Solicitors Practice Rules 1990.

The SDT recognised the difficulties caused by a dismissed member of staff who had apparently deleted important client records from a computerised system.

Its main concern had been an improper loan arranged from an estate of which the respondent had been an executor to a property-dealing client; there had been a clear conflict of interests and the respondent's judgment had been greatly at fault (albeit the money had been repaid and no client suffered loss).

The respondent had suffered difficulties with his mental health at the time; but it would be possible for him to seek to have the period of suspension lifted when he could show that his mental condition had stabilised and that he was fit to practise.

The SDT had not made a finding of dishonesty.

The respondent was ordered to pay 5,409 costs.