David Grant

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

David Grant, a solicitor admitted in 1974 and sole equity partner/COFA of Tracey Barlow Furniss & Co, was the subject of SRA proceedings resolved by an agreed outcome. He admitted seven allegations including failing to report the firm's financial difficulties, failing to apply to become a recognised sole practitioner, an improper £50,000-related client account withdrawal, failures in supervising bookkeepers and handling residual client balances, unauthorised transfers to office account, and convictions on 6 December 2019 for one count of theft (stealing £95,740.15 from clients) and two counts of money laundering (depriving a deceased's estate of £6,000), for which he was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. The Tribunal found dishonesty arising from the criminal convictions, assessed culpability and harm as high, and concluded that striking off was the only appropriate sanction. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £14,073.75. Allegations 1.4 and 1.8 were withdrawn.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• No improper use of client money
• Not misrepresent regulated status
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Proper basis for allegations
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Convicted of dishonesty offences (theft and money laundering)
• Conduct was deliberate, calculated and repeated over a period of time
• Took advantage of long-standing clients who placed trust in him
• Used £6,000 taken from a deceased's estate for personal matters
• Stole over £95,000 from clients over a nine-month period
• Tried to conceal the theft by persuading two clients to give false/misleading information to the regulator
• Ought to have known conduct breached obligations to protect public and reputation of profession

Mitigating factors:

• Previously unblemished record over 46 years' practice
• Admissions to allegations indicating a degree of insight
• Belief that proceeds from sale of his property and business would cover liabilities
• Negotiations with another solicitor to join the firm fell through
• Excessive reliance on his office manager