Alan David Tickell

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

Sole practitioner Alan David Tickell admitted and was found to have committed numerous breaches of the Solicitors Code of Conduct and Solicitors Accounts Rules, including raising false invoices and transferring client funds to his office account to ease cash flow (estates of Mrs B and Mrs W), improperly withdrawing client funds to redeem a charge on 11 M Drive, failing to register a transfer and mortgage for over three years, and repeatedly lying to his mortgagee client C&G. The Tribunal made express findings of dishonesty (Twinsectra test) on allegations 1.1, 1.3 and 1.7(c), which the Respondent admitted. With no exceptional circumstances, he was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £20,000 (not enforceable without leave). The co-respondent partner resolved his matter via a Regulatory Settlement Agreement (£2,000 fine, £3,000 costs).

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Safeguard documents and limit liens

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty involved multiple client matters over a considerable period
• Sustained and repeated deception of lender client - 12 lies in six communications over two and a half years
• Misuse of client funds prompted by firm's cash flow problems
• Gave untrue answers to the SRA investigator about whether other similar matters existed

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted the substantive allegations and dishonesty from an early/late stage to save time and cost
• 30 years previously unblemished service
• Acted under great pressure while effectively practising alone following death and retirement of partners
• No actual loss to clients; monies ultimately replaced and registration concluded
• Positive testimonials and community/voluntary involvement
• Cooperated and supported orderly closure of practice