Paul Michael Ireland
JurisdictionEngland & Wales
BodySolicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT)
Professionsolicitor
Case number12613/2024
Date23/12/2024
OutcomeSuspend - Fixed Period
Allegation / charges
Breaches, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019
Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision
SanctionSuspension
Suspension12 months
CostsGBP 27,000
Dishonesty foundNo
Duties found breached:
- Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
- No improper use of client money
- Firm governance, systems and compliance
Aggravating factors:
- Client account shortages had not been corrected since an FIO report four years earlier; conduct continued over a significant period
- At least seven improper transfers in breach of the SRA Accounts Rules
- Previous disciplinary matters of a similar nature before the Tribunal
- Lack of insight; no attempt to refresh or improve knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules
Mitigating factors:
- Open and frank admissions to the regulator
- Full cooperation during the investigation and proceedings
Codes & rules applied
Duties engaged
- Comply with and respect court orders
- Integrity
- No bribery or improper gifts
- Personal probity and fitness to practise
- Uphold public trust in the profession
- Act in the client's best interests
- Advise objectively, not a mere conduit
- Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
- No improper use of client money
- Account for interest on client money
- Firm governance, systems and compliance