Endy Okoye & David Laryea

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

Both partners of Marshall & Mason were struck off the Roll following widespread breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Rules (poor books, late/improper transfers, overdrawn client account, failure to return residual funds), submitting an inflated bill to the Crown Court, charging non-genuine disbursements, failing to disclose material facts to mortgage lenders, failing to comply with an Adjudicator's direction and failing to cooperate with the SRA. The Second Respondent additionally held himself out as a practising solicitor in an IVA proposal without a practising certificate. The Tribunal expressly noted dishonesty was NOT alleged regarding the accounts; allegation 11 was framed as a lack of integrity. Costs of £40,000 ordered jointly and severally (reduced from £60,171.27 sought due to excessive investigation costs).

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Avoid wasting the court's time
• Diligence and timeliness
• Disclose material information to client
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report
• No improper use of client money
• Not mislead the court
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Breaches were very serious, widespread and continued over a significant period
• Misleading the Crown Court's Taxing Officer with an inflated bill (Second Respondent)
• Second Respondent produced documents to the Tribunal that did not appear genuine
• Failure to maintain stewardship of client money; client account allowed to become overdrawn using other clients' funds
• No satisfactory explanation for numerous and repeated breaches

Mitigating factors:

• Second Respondent contended he was not directly involved in the conveyancing transactions giving rise to SAR breaches and accepted liability as a partner
• Some admissions made by the Second Respondent
• No previous disciplinary sanctions