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13.05.19
Is it time to stop talking about gagging clauses?
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced it has referred a solicitor from magic circle firm Allen & Overy to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal over drawing-up a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) on behalf of film Producer Harvey Weinstein. It is understood the agreement, in essence, paid Mr Weinstein’s former assistant Zelda Perkins a large sum in…
Read more21.03.19
Solicitor fined for loaning money to client at 60% interest
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (‘SDT’) has fined Richard Barca (of Wilson Barca LLP) £20,000 and ordered him to pay £26,000 in costs after regulatory proceedings were instigated against him for loaning £27,000, with an interest rate of 60% per annum, to a vulnerable client who stood to lose her property and livelihood. Mr Barca was…
Read more25.02.19
Solicitor struck off for perverting the course of justice
A newly-qualified solicitor has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal following his conviction for attempting to pervert the course of justice. Mohammed Riaz (also known as John Washington) was convicted on 1 September 2016 and sentenced to eight months’ custody. Riaz, who was admitted to the roll only a year before he was…
Read more15.01.19
Solicitor fined for calling a potential client a ‘nutter’
A solicitor of nearly 40 years PQE has been fined £5,000 by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) for sending a string of emails calling a potential client a ‘nutter’, ‘crazy man with a death wish’ and an ‘asshole’. Tim Bennett’s conduct was referred to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) by The Society of Trusts and…
Read more26.11.18
Solicitor struck off following profanity-stricken tirade
Luke Stephen Venton has been struck off the Roll by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (‘SDT’) following convictions for drink driving and possession of a class B drug, failure to notify the Solicitors Regulation Authority (‘SRA’) about these convictions and offensive and threatening language in communications with the SRA, other solicitors and third parties. Mr Venton…
Read more29.09.18
Leading media lawyer to face SDT over alleged ‘offensive and profane’ comments on social media
Mark Lewis, a solicitor who undertook pioneering work in bringing phone-hacking claims against the News of the World, is being prosecuted by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (‘SRA’) before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (‘SDT’) in respect of allegations that he posted ‘offensive and profane’ communications on social media. It is alleged by the SRA that on…
Read more16.05.18
Solicitor struck off for unintentionally aiding criminal activity
Neil Bolton has been struck off the roll of solicitors in disciplinary proceedings that followed his conviction and nine months’ imprisonment for seven counts of failing to comply with Money Laundering Regulations and one count of failing to disclose information in the Regulated Sector. The criminal and disciplinary proceedings came as a result of an…
Read more15.03.18
Solicitor struck off after falsely claiming he had witnessed a client's signature
A solicitor of nine years’ call has been struck off the roll of solicitors following a finding by the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) that he acted dishonestly. Stewart Stocker, a partner at Lauriston Saggar at the relevant time, was acting for a mother and son who sought to borrow nearly £1 million in a property…
Read more13.02.18
‘Zombie’ solicitor allowed to remain in profession despite finding of dishonesty
A Solicitor who had received the “South West Young Dealmaker of the Year” award in 2014 has been allowed to remain in practice despite the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) finding that he had acted dishonestly. Misleading emails Peter Naylor, aged 31 at the time of the misconduct which occurred between March and August 2014, was…
Read more15.12.17
Solicitor struck off for ‘outrageous plundering’ from vulnerable client
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (‘SDT’) have struck of Mr Stephen Acres and awarded £70,000 in costs to the Solicitors Regulation Authority following sustained misappropriation from the accounts of an ‘elderly and extremely vulnerable client’. Background Mr Acres (‘the Respondent’), a former partner of Stanley De Leon, obtained a Lasting Power of Attorney (‘LPA’) in 2013…
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