Decisions and interventions

The SDT ordered that the respondent should be struck off the roll.

While in practice as a solicitor at Reeds Solicitors Ltd, the respondent had submitted inappropriate expense claims to the firm for reimbursement of mileage and car-parking expenses in relation to client visits when visits to those clients had not taken place, thereby breaching principles 2 and 6 of the SRA Principles 2011. He had acted recklessly.

He had created inaccurate attendance notes for client prison visits, including recording time and disbursements, when he had not attended upon those clients on those dates, thereby breaching principles 2 and 6. He had acted recklessly.

The parties had invited the SDT to deal with the allegations against the respondent in accordance with a statement of agreed facts and outcome.

The respondent was entirely culpable for his misconduct, which was extremely serious. His conduct, while relating to monies, did not relate to client monies. The nature of the respondent’s misconduct and the length of time over which it had occurred was such that the proportionate sanction was to strike the respondent from the roll.

The respondent was ordered to pay costs of £15,000.

On 14 July 2021, the SRA intervened into the remainder of the sole practice of Christopher David Loadsman, Cockburn Gostling, of 61 Church Road, Hove BN3 2BP. The collection of the practice papers took place on 20 July 2021. The grounds of intervention were:

• It was necessary to intervene to protect the interests of clients or former clients and the beneficiaries of any trust of which Loadsman is or was a trustee (paragraph 1(1)(c) of Schedule 1 – Part I to the Solicitors Act 1974).

Michael Veal of Lester Aldridge, Russell House, Oxford Road, Bournemouth BH8 8EX (tel: 01202 786341; email: intervention.enquiries@la-law.com) has been appointed as the Society’s agent.

Loadsman does not hold a practising certificate.

On 14 July 2021, the SRA intervened into the remainder of the recognised body of Theaker Loadsman & Reynolds, of 61 Church Road, Hove BN3 2BP. The collection of the practice papers took place on 20 July 2021. The former partners were Christopher Loadsman and Andrew Theaker. The grounds of intervention were:

• It was necessary to intervene to protect the interests of clients or former clients, the interests of the beneficiaries of any trust of which the firm is or was a trustee, or the interests of the beneficiaries of any trust of which a person who is or was a manager or employee of the firm is or was a trustee in that person’s capacity as manager or employee (paragraph 32(1)(e) Schedule 2, Administration of Justice Act 1985).

Michael Veal of Lester Aldridge, Russell House, Oxford Road, Bournemouth BH8 8EX (tel: 01202 786341; email: intervention.enquiries@la-law.com) has been appointed as the Society’s agent.

Neither Loadsman nor Theaker hold current practising certificates.