Stephen Morecroft

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

Stephen Morecroft, a sole practitioner admitted in 1977, faced 23 allegations including serious accounts breaches, conflicts of interest, multiple breaches of undertakings, forgery of vendors' signatures on a transfer deed, misleading a hospital about a court order, and dishonest withdrawal of client funds. The Tribunal, applying the Twinsectra test, expressly found him dishonest in forging signatures and withdrawing client money. With a poor disciplinary history (1989 dishonesty finding and 2004 fine), the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered him to pay costs of £22,885.42. He did not attend; his adjournment request was refused.

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Act in the client's best interests
• Diligence and timeliness
• Handle inadvertently received material
• Hold a current practising certificate
• Honour professional undertakings
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper communication with the court
• No improper use of client money
• Not mislead the court
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Safeguard documents and limit liens

Aggravating factors:

• Poor disciplinary history including 1989 finding of dishonesty (suspension) and 2004 finding (fine)
• Flagrant breaches of rules and responsibilities of practice
• Continued practising and using client account in breach of practising certificate conditions
• Book deficit of over £1.7 million; client account reduced to £1,194 at intervention
• Failure to engage with Law Society and disciplinary process

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent cited family problems affecting bookkeeping