Ali Brian Ferguson

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

The Respondent, a non-solicitor clerk, held himself out as part of Harringtons Solicitors. The Law Society applied for a s.43 Order. The Tribunal, satisfied from the documentation including a High Court judgment, found the Respondent had failed to pay client monies into client account (retaining £1,000 of £2,000, and paying £750 and £5,000 into his personal account), purported to share profit costs with a firm as an unqualified person, failed to conduct litigation competently, and misrepresented his status as a solicitor. It proceeded in his absence after substituted service for public protection. The Tribunal made the s.43 Order effective 27 March 2007 and ordered costs of £7,720, despite the Respondent's bankruptcy. No express finding of dishonesty was made by the Tribunal.

Duties found breached:

• Avoid wasting the court's time
• Honour professional undertakings
• No improper fee-sharing or partnership
• Not misrepresent regulated status
• Prompt accounting and return of money