(unnamed respondent)

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

This was an application by Mr Hodge to vary/remove conditions imposed by the Tribunal in December 2013 (following an indefinite suspension originally ordered in 2007 for various Solicitors Accounts Rules, training, insurance and practising-certificate breaches). The SRA was neutral. The Tribunal removed the conditions preventing him from being a manager/owner/partner and requiring SRA-approved employment, finding no continuing risk in those respects given his rehabilitation. However, because he lacked insight into the 2007 finding that he had withdrawn client money in breach of Rule 22 SAR and had provided no client-account training evidence, the Tribunal retained and varied the condition that he may not hold or receive client money, making it indefinite. He was ordered to pay agreed costs of £2,483.

Aggravating factors:

• Lack of insight into the 2007 findings regarding withdrawal of client money in breach of SAR (asserted he had 'never wrongly taken client money')
• No evidence of training in solicitors accounts or handling of client monies

Mitigating factors:

• No regulatory issues or complaints since returning to practice in 2013
• Successful approved employment history since December 2015
• Demonstrated insight into misconduct (mismanagement of practice)
• Positive references attesting to professionalism, reliability and integrity
• Completed relevant training (freelance solicitor/consultant course and professional ethics course)
• Discharged from bankruptcies and now debt free; last bankruptcy over 8 years previously
• Paid all prior costs orders (2007, 2009, 2013)