Henry Earl Ellis

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

Henry Earl Ellis, a sole practitioner, closed his firm Ellis Solicitors in summer 2006 without notifying the SRA or his insurers, failed to obtain run-off insurance, failed to deliver certified accounts, and did not respond to SRA/Law Society correspondence. He admitted all allegations and submitted mitigation citing depression and bankruptcy. The Tribunal found him not currently fit to practice and imposed an indefinite suspension plus costs of £4,085.92. No dishonesty was alleged or found.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No acting against a former client
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Professional indemnity insurance

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted all allegations in full
• Difficult personal circumstances and depression
• Fundamental changes in his business affected the practice
• Subject of bankruptcy proceedings; declared bankrupt on 10 June 2009