Nigel Simon Nicholas Burnell

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

Nigel Simon Nicholas Burnell, admitted 1977, was a partner at Pinsent & Co. in Birmingham. A KPMG investigation identified eight cheques paid from client account on his authority without client authorisation, with six cheques (March 1993-February 1995) totalling £25,270.71 used for his personal benefit. The partners restored £20,601.04 to client account. The Tribunal found both allegations substantiated and that he had acted with considerable dishonesty over about two years, deceiving clients and partners and seeking to cover his tracks. He did not contest the proceedings, citing heart trouble. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £2,115.

Duties found breached:

• Handle inadvertently received material
• No improper use of client money
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest course of action over a period of about two years
• Deceived clients and partners
• Sought to cover his tracks
• Conduct unbefitting a solicitor at the highest end of the scale

Mitigating factors:

• Did not contest the proceedings and admitted the allegations
• Cited heart trouble and inability to face the hearing
• No longer practising in the law