Sally Ann Leslie

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

Sally Ann Leslie, a salaried partner solicitor, raised unjustified bills of costs supported by inflated/false time records, swept up client account balances with unjustified bills, and prepared misleading estate accounts, with bills discharged by improper client-to-office account transfers. Issues came to light after she left the firm. She admitted all allegations and accepted her conduct was dishonest under the Twinsectra test. The Tribunal expressly found dishonesty, despite no personal financial gain and significant mitigation (work pressure, ill health, psychiatric report), and ordered her struck off the Roll plus payment of £4,253.50 costs.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Misappropriation/improper handling of sacrosanct client funds
• Systemic breach of the Accounts Rules across twelve files
• Created false time records to support inflated bills
• Prepared misleading estate accounts
• Put perceived firm interests ahead of clients' interests

Mitigating factors:

• No personal financial gain or benefit in salary/prestige
• Consistent admissions and cooperation from the outset
• Genuine remorse and insight
• Psychiatric report evidencing chronic anxiety state and physical ill health
• Significant work pressure as she perceived it
• Firm able to put matters right (over £49,000 returned to client account)
• No longer in practice and no wish to return to private partnership
• Loss of good character