A solicitor struck off for multiple counts of dishonesty was made bankrupt by his most recent firm last year, it has emerged.

James Thomas Haigh was banned by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal last month after misconduct was admitted dating from between 2016 and 2018, when he worked for north west firm Taylors Solicitors.

Haigh then went on to be a director with Manchester firm Athena Solicitors, joining in July 2018 before resigning almost a year ago.

A notice in the London Gazette states that Haigh, 39, was made subject to a bankruptcy order in November at the county court in Manchester. The petitioner was listed as Athena Solicitors.

The firm has confirmed that Haigh was expelled from the firm in January 2022 and he was reported to the SRA. The formal decision to prosecute Haigh in relation to the Taylors allegations was taken after he was expelled from Athena and after the firm had made its own complaints, which are subject to a separate SRA investigation. Any allegations relating to conduct outside of Haigh’s time at Taylors remain unproven.

A spokesperson for Athena Law said the firm has taken steps to ensure that no client has suffered any harm or loss as a result of the solicitor’s actions. He added: ‘The bankruptcy petition was issued to recover from Mr Haigh his overdrawn capital account, and we are awaiting appointment of our nominated trustee in bankruptcy. A bankruptcy order was made following our petition on 1 November 2022.’

It is also understood that a referral has been made to the police about Haigh’s allleged conduct.

The solicitor of more than 14 years admitted to 12 separate acts of dishonesty during his time at Taylors, making an agreed outcome with the SRA that he should be struck off. He also agreed to pay £44,770 costs. He was found to have misused client monies, paying third parties owed money by diverting funds belonging to other clients.

He also created a time entry recording suggesting he left a voicemail for a client, and repeatedly told another client a claim had been made on their behalf when this had not happened. Haigh even gave a false date for the listing of the claim and suggested that the opposing side had requested an adjournment.

Haigh said he had been suffering significant family stress at the time, and the pressures of work affected his ability to carry out day-to-day duties.