Neil Lawrence Jacobsen

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

Sole practitioner Neil Lawrence Jacobsen made three improper transfers from client to office accounts totalling around £19,892 between December 2011 and December 2012, clearing office account overdrafts and funding personal expenditure. He failed to keep proper accounting records, failed to produce records to the SRA, and failed to deliver Accountant's Reports. The Tribunal found all allegations proved, including dishonesty under the Twinsectra test, the Respondent's own emails acknowledging that 'the bulk' of transferred money was not owed to him. He did not appear and was not represented; no medical evidence or exceptional circumstances were provided. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £12,250.

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Diligence and timeliness
• Integrity
• No improper use of client money
• Segregate client money
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Improper transfer of client money used to clear office account overdrafts and personal expenditure (Tesco, Vodafone, ATMs)
• Round sum transfers from client to office account
• No money replaced; Respondent regarded the money as his own
• Failure to engage with Tribunal process or produce supporting evidence