Colin Ross Downie

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Colin Ross Downie, a solicitor and Director of Adjust Law Group Limited (formerly MJP Justice Limited), admitted all allegations brought by the SRA. Between 2008 and 2015 he sought investor funding (over £5.6m raised through litigation funding companies G, SB and ALC) while the Firm was technically insolvent and previous investors had not been repaid, misused or directed the misuse of investor funds (including approximately £780,000 paid to himself and family, a Mercedes, and football tickets), and knowingly misled parties including auditors, an IFA and administrators about the value of the Firm's work-in-progress (which was ultimately nil). He also failed to correct inaccuracies in a promotional brochure. The Tribunal found dishonesty (Ivey test) and approved the agreed outcome of striking off, finding no exceptional circumstances. Investors lost approximately £4m with under £150,000 repaid. He was ordered to pay costs of £20,833.33 plus VAT.

Duties found breached:

• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty
• Misconduct persisted and was repeated over a significant period (approximately five years)
• Planned pattern of behaviour
• Personal financial gain (received £817,242.73 personally)
• Knew or ought to have known conduct breached obligations to protect public and reputation of profession

Mitigating factors:

• Genuine subjective belief that the Firm would succeed and trade through its difficulties
• Intention to repay creditors and investors
• Genuine desire to represent consumers in PPI claims
• Rapid expansion led to unforeseen overheads
• Made admissions in interview on 5 September 2016
• Pleaded degree of impecuniosity