Christopher Martin HorleyAdmitted 1980Application 8038/1999Hearing, 13 April 2000:reasons, 26 May 2000

The SDT ordered the respondent, of Silverstreet Farm, Brokerswood, Westbury, Wilts BA13 4EY, who had practised on his own account, to pay a penalty of 3,000 for unbefitting conduct, in that he had failed to keep properly written-up accounts, contrary to r.11 of the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1991; he had improperly withdrawn money from client account, contrary to rr.7 and 8 of those rules; and he had retained money received from the legal aid board in respect of professional disbursements in office account.

There had been no dishonesty on the part of the respondent.

The SDT took into account mitigating factors, including the high staff turnover rate and the fact that an apparently capable and competent bookkeeper had greatly underestimated the time needed to put the respondent's accounts into proper order.

The respondent was ordered to pay 6,252 costs.