Henry Aitchison

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

Two solicitors, married partners practising as Aitchisons, faced allegations of breaching the Solicitors' Accounts Rules 1991. Mr. Aitchison was solely responsible for misusing clients' money, including personal payments from client account, diverting clients' funds to unconnected clients, and improper transfers for undelivered bills, producing a minimum client account shortage of about £379,939.96. The Tribunal found both allegations against him substantiated and struck him off, ordering him to pay costs (to be taxed if not agreed). The second respondent, a salaried partner, was held strictly liable for the Accounts Rules breaches but was found wholly unaware and not complicit; she was reprimanded with no order for costs. The Tribunal made no express finding of dishonesty.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Large client account shortage of approximately £379,939.96
• False entries in the books of account made at Mr. Aitchison's instigation
• Personal payments out of client account, improper use of clients' money for other unconnected clients, and improper transfers for undelivered bills of costs
• Losses notified to the profession of £1.1 million

Mitigating factors:

• Second respondent was a salaried partner held strictly liable but wholly unaware of the situation and not complicit
• Second respondent did not see the accounts; no staff or client gave cause for anxiety; accountant's certificates correctly submitted
• Second respondent apologised and accepted responsibility; supported by letters from solicitors and accountants and a police investigation report
• Mr. Aitchison co-operated with the Investigation Accountant and admitted the allegations