Bryan H S Slater & Another

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

Two solicitors faced charges arising from the Second Respondent (Slater) receiving client monies (totalling £26,500) into his personal account in breach of a practising certificate condition, with the First Respondent (a sole practitioner) permitting a £3,000 direct payment and failing to remedy/report promptly. Both admitted the allegations. The Tribunal found the First Respondent's account (knowledge of only £3,000) credible and honest and fined him £20,000 with £2,000 costs. Slater, found evasive and unreliable (though no dishonesty was alleged or found), with two prior appearances and conduct described as blatant and calculated, was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay £10,000 costs (not to be enforced without leave). Slater's later appeals to the High Court and Court of Appeal were dismissed/refused.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Third appearance before the Tribunal (previous fines of £4,000 and £3,000 for SAR breaches)
• Conduct found to be blatant and calculated, done for self-interest
• Conscious and cavalier disregard for the Solicitors Accounts Rules and deliberate circumvention of practising certificate condition
• Gave evasive and unreliable evidence to the Tribunal

Mitigating factors:

• No dishonesty alleged by the SRA
• Driven by financial difficulties (mortgage arrears, school fees)
• Clients involved were sophisticated commercial clients who supported him
• Did not seek to attack the Tribunal's findings; character references provided