Terence Jeffrey Sopel

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

Terence Jeffrey Sopel, a sole practitioner conveyancing solicitor, faced five allegations (after one withdrawn) of Solicitors Accounts Rules breaches. The Tribunal found a client account shortage of £35,020.70 not rectified promptly, overpayments/over-transfers of £12,590.38, failure to record office account transactions on client ledgers, and a conflict of interest involving a family-controlled company. Crucially, on allegation 3 (218 transfers totalling £22,430.32), the Tribunal found he deliberately transferred client money he was not entitled to and created false bills for fictitious work never sent to clients, satisfying the Twinsectra test and constituting express dishonesty. Despite mitigation (delay breaching Article 6, good character, no personal gain in usual sense, personal pressures), the Tribunal held the case did not fall within the residual exception in Sharma and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £17,500.

Duties found breached:

• Account for interest on client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No improper use of client money
• No own-interest conflict

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest conduct sustained over approximately 18 months (218 transfers)
• Creation of false bills for fictitious work to cover tracks
• When client Mr KA requested his money, Respondent did not change his pattern of conduct thereafter
• Experienced solicitor specialising in conveyancing where Accounts Rules have considerable impact
• Significant total sum taken (~£22,000); failure of stewardship of client money
• Accounting failures existed since practice formation in 2000