Decisions and interventions

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

Between March 2020 and November 2022, the respondent had created records as to the time spent by him working on client matters which were inaccurate, misleading and in excess of the time actually spent on the client matters against which they were recorded. In doing so, he had breached principles 4, 5 and 2 of the SRA Principles 2019 and paragraph 1.4 of the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors.

Between March 2020 and November 2022, the respondent had authorised the withdrawal of client monies without having sent corresponding invoices to the relevant client or paying party. In doing so, he had acted in breach of principles 2, 5, and 7 and rule 4.3 of the SRA Accounts Rules. The respondent had admitted all the allegations and the applicable breaches, including dishonesty.

The parties had invited the SDT to deal with the allegations against the respondent in accordance with a statement of agreed facts and outcome annexed to the judgment. The parties had submitted that the outcome proposed was consistent with the SDT’s Guidance Note on Sanctions.

The SDT had reviewed all the material before it and was satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the respondent’s admissions had been properly made.

Dishonesty undermined the administration of justice and public confidence in the profession. Given the deliberate and repeated nature of the respondent’s misconduct, the SDT had concluded that striking off was the only appropriate sanction, there being no exceptional circumstances. 

The respondent was ordered to pay costs of £10,000.

On 28 April 2026, the Solicitors Regulation Authority intervened into the practice of Ross Michael Coates and into the recognised body Ross Coates Solicitors. The firm had two offices: Unit 5-7 Alpha Business Park, White House Road, Ipswich IP1 5LT; and 139 Main Road, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 2NP.

The grounds for intervention into the practice of Ross Coates were:

• Coates had failed to comply with rules – paragraph 1(1)(c) of schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974.
• It was necessary to intervene to protect the interests of clients or former clients and any beneficiaries of any trust of which Coates is or was a trustee – paragraph 1(1)(m) of schedule 1 to the Solicitors Act 1974.

The grounds for intervention into Ross Coates Solicitors were:

• Coates, as a manager of the firm, and the firm itself have failed to comply with rules applicable to them both by virtue of section 9 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985 – paragraph 32(1)(a) of schedule 2 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985.
• It was necessary to intervene to protect the interests of clients or former clients, the interests of 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 a manager or employee (paragraph 32(1)(e) Schedule 2, Administration of Justice Act 1985).

Coates’ practising certificate was suspended by reason of the intervention.

Chris Evans of Lester Aldridge LLP, Russell House, Oxford Road, Bournemouth BH8 8EX (tel: 01202 786341; email: interventions@la-law.com) has been appointed as intervention agent.

On 30 April, the SRA intervened into the above-named recognised body, formerly at 12 Stamford Street, Stalybridge SK15 1LA.

The ground for intervention was:

• It was necessary to intervene to protect the interests of clients or former clients, the interests of 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 a manager or employee (paragraph 32(1)(e) of schedule 2 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985).

Phillip Axon’s practising certificate was not suspended by reason of the intervention.

John Owen of Gordons LLP, 1 New Augustus Street, Bradford BD1 5LL (tel: 0113 227 0358; email: intervention@gordonsllp.com) has been appointed as intervention agent.