Michael Alexander

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

Michael Alexander, an experienced solicitor, borrowed £100,000 (First Loan) and a further £25,000 (Second Loan) from long-term clients and personal friends RP and CP for his firms. The Tribunal found he discouraged the clients from taking independent legal advice despite an obvious conflict of interest, failed to disclose that his wife held prior legal charges that took priority over the clients' security, and made false/misleading reassurances that their money was secure and that they were the only ones fully protected. The Tribunal found six allegations proved including express dishonesty (Twinsectra test) on Allegations 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. Allegation 5 was not proved and Allegation 8 was an unconsidered alternative. The clients never recovered their loans. The Respondent was struck off the Roll with immediate effect, his application to suspend the strike-off was refused, and he was ordered to pay costs of £78,785.30.

Duties found breached:

• Disclose material information to client
• No conflict between current clients
• Not mislead third parties or opponents

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty proven across six allegations
• Motivation of financial self-interest
• Deliberate, calculated and repeated conduct over a number of years
• Breach of trust - took advantage of a client who was also a personal friend
• Concealed true position from clients from the outset and persisted with subterfuge
• Experienced practitioner (solicitor and former company secretary)
• Previous Regulatory Settlement Agreement in 2014 (fined £2,000, costs £7,500)
• Significant harm - nearly £100,000 plus interest still owed to clients

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent accepted a moral obligation to repay RP/CP notwithstanding the winding up of the firm