SDT decisions
Decisions filed recently with the Law Society (which may be subject to appeal).
Partner who falsely claimed to witness signature is fined
Solicitor tells tribunal that he had showed insight, regret and remorse for 2016 incident.
Guise accuses client of faking emails in ‘dishonest’ transfers case
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hears allegations of attempted incrimination.
Tribunal slashes SRA costs over ‘inordinate’ number of lawyers
Regulator applied for £42,600 costs for 'very straightforward' SDT strike-off case.
City solicitor rebuts 'concocted story' about client funds transfers
Tony Norman Guise accuses former colleague of 'blackmailing' solicitors to support complaint.
Solicitor without insurance struck off to end 46-year career
Firm continued to take on new matters despite knowing it was not covered, tribunal finds.
Prominent City solicitor accused of ‘dishonest’ transfers
Tony Norman Guise transferred over £350,000 from his firm’s client account without authorisation, tribunal hears.
SDT drops case against A&O partner due to health fears
Employment partner Mark Mansell was due to be prosecuted over his role in a high-profile non-disclosure agreement involving the disgraced Harvey Weinstein.
Law Society president to face full SDT hearing
Private prosecution brought by former client of Edwin Coe, the firm of Society president David Greene.
Solicitor struck off for 'blatant self-interest' over in-law's property
Veteran solicitor made a conscious decision not to complete a purchase, tribunal finds.
SDT decisions and interventions
Decisions filed recently with the Law Society (which may be subject to appeal).
Principal who kept firm trading with counsel fees struck off
Kent-based solicitor used counsels’ fees and money from the legal aid agency to keep firm afloat, tribunal finds.
Young solicitor avoids strike-off after ‘moment of madness’ dishonesty
Bradford solicitor handed six-month suspension after agreeing outcome with the SRA.
SRA ordered to pay £27,000 over 'heavy handed' tribunal pursuit
Tribunal finds a number of allegations against solicitor were not properly brought.
Tribunal entitled to ban solicitor despite ‘racist’ witness remarks
Judges say tribunal decision to strike off solicitor was rationally explained and based on all evidence.
SRA rules out Beckwith appeal but defiant on future prosecutions
Regulator stresses that case against City lawyer was properly brought despite court defeat.
Solicitor struck off after telling new firm she had a clean slate
Catherine Limbert had been under investigation by the SRA when she joined new firm.
SRA reveals £1m shortfall on five most expensive prosecutions
Regulator claimed more than £100,000 costs but was awarded far less by the tribunal.
SDT decisions
Decisions filed recently with the Law Society (which may be subject to appeal).
Owner agrees ban after making £47k transfers to office account
Monies were mistakenly paid to employees and unsecured creditors of Yorkshire firm.
Solicitor appeals ban based on ‘racist’ and ‘unreliable’ witness
Vidal Martin was banned following a two-week hearing at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Solicitor who touched colleague and told racist joke not a ‘significant risk’
Tribunal finds it ‘unfortunate’ that London partner did not realise his behaviour seen as predatory.
Weinstein NDA hearing will be in private, tribunal confirms
Anonymity directions will remain in place until proceedings are concluded.
SDT decisions
Decisions filed recently with the Law Society (which may be subject to appeal).
Solicitors fined over £100m car park investment scheme
Directors breached solicitors accounts rules, Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal finds.
Solicitor struck off for ignoring three-month suspension
Tribunal also sanctions law firm director who allowed solicitor to carry on working.
SDT decisions
Decisions filed recently with the Law Society (which may be subject to appeal).
Court blasts SRA for ‘alarming’ costs bill in Beckwith case
Regulator claimed costs of almost £344,000 in wake of high profile prosecution.
Beckwith misconduct verdict overturned on appeal
Former magic circle partner overturns £35,000 fine as High Court lambasts 'flawed' SDT finding and 'alarming' costs.
Corner-cutting boss told absent staff to ‘witness’ 33 wills
Former managing director says signatures practice became ‘a bit of a habit’.
Property head banned for repeated failings on transactions
Tribunal strikes off solicitor at the centre of £15m claims against Liverpool firm EAD Solicitors.
SDT decisions
Decisions filed recently with the Law Society (which may be subject to appeal).
Solicitor who caused £885,000 client account shortfall struck off
Sole practitioner showed ‘complete contempt’ for account rules, tribunal finds.
Brothers sanctioned after London firm ran up huge client account shortages
Settlement agreement sees one partner struck off and the other suspended.
Novice solicitor fined after extra-curricular work on injury claim
Leanne Schrouder said she was providing administrative help on clinical negligence case.
Court overturns SDT’s ‘seriously flawed’ decision to clear solicitor
Case involving costs claimed by former Neumans partner will have to be re-heard before a new panel, High Court rules.
SDT decisions and interventions
Decisions filed recently with the Law Society (which may be subject to appeal).
Solicitor borrowed from estate accounts to cover shortages
Cornwall sole practitioner is struck off after showing a 'clear disregard' for his obligations.
‘Puppet’ solicitor suspended over money-laundering breach
East London practitioner is suspended indefinitely after allowing payments to third parties.
Solicitor called dishonest by judge over inflated costs is struck off
Law firm boss also pursued useless claims and went after clients for wasted costs.
Self-proclaimed ‘genius’ solicitor threatened to ‘end the SRA’
Commercial litigator also found to have settled client’s costs claim without telling the client.
SDT decisions
Decisions filed recently with the Law Society (which may be subject to appeal).
Solicitor who falsified documents with Tipp-Ex struck off
Respondent thought his actions were ‘common and unobjectionable’.
Solicitor fined after year-long driving ban
Respondent refused to provide a blood sample contrary to Road Traffic Act 1988.
Decisions and interventions
Decisions filed recently with the Law Society (which may be subject to appeal).
Solicitor cleared by SDT over signed document complaint
Tribunal finds experienced solicitor acted negligently but was not guilty of professional misconduct.
Solicitor who joked about Ku Klux Klan fined £30k by tribunal
Practitioner who said he had 'old fashioned' sense of humour and also told racist joke is allowed to remain in practice.
SRA to pay interim £40k costs after ‘lamentable’ prosecution
Regulator waited more than three years to interview witness who was at the heart of allegations.
Junior lawyers welcome SDT leniency for suffering solicitor
JLD expresses hope that regulators will take note of latest tribunal decision.
SRA to recover less than 30% of prosecution costs in Bakers case
Regulator faces £137,000 legal bill after high profile prosecution of firm and three former leaders.
KKK office joke was ‘just playful’, tribunal told
Veteran solicitor denies any sexual or racial harassment of former colleagues.
Second witness says she was touched inappropriately by veteran solicitor
Former partner admitted in 1977 denies wrongdoing and says contact was a ‘playful kick’.
Ex-Freshfields partner appeals misconduct finding in High Court
Ryan Beckwith was fined £35,000 last year after spending the night with a junior colleague.
Partner wore 'KKK hat' in office and groped colleague 18 times, tribunal hears
Veteran solicitor denies misconduct and says allegations by 'Person A' are not true.
‘Brain fade’ junior solicitor found dishonest - but spared strike-off
Recently qualified practitioner suspended after tribunal accepted exceptional circumstances contributed to her conduct.
Junior solicitor felt ‘ambushed’ at HR meeting to talk over mistake
Practitioner denies acting dishonestly in the aftermath of a missed employment tribunal hearing.
Solicitor who binned document after 'trivial' mistake denies dishonesty
Tribunal hears 'hard-working and dedicated' newly qualified practitioner did not make a calculated decision to mislead.
SDT decisions
Decisions filed recently with the Law Society (which may be subject to appeal).
Suspension for solicitor whose firm held £213k in unpaid disbursements
Tribunal agrees misconduct was a result of neglect and carelessness rather than any planned course of action.
Barrister disbarred for disciplinary history - six years after being struck off as solicitor
Terence Symmonds practised as a barrister for five years after being sanctioned by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.