Simon Patrick CannonAdmitted 1990Application 8052/1999Hearing, 13 April 2000;reasons, 26 May 2000

The SDT imposed a penalty of 1,500 on the respondent, of 1a High St, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EL, who practised as a sole principal, for unbefitting conduct, in that he had failed to keep properly written-up accounts, contrary to r.11 of the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1991; and he had improperly withdrawn money from client account, contrary to rr.7 and 8 of those rules.

The respondent's shortcomings fell at the lower end of the scale and there was no question of dishonesty.

The respondent was ordered to pay the costs of the application and inquiry (730) but, in view of the fact that one allegation against the respondent had been withdrawn and also that the investigation accountant's costs appeared very high in relation to the size of the respondent's practice, only a contribution (2,000) towards the costs of the investigation accountant.