Andrew Craig Larman

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

Andrew Craig Larman, admitted 1981, practised in partnership at Williams Mann, Bristol. An Investigation Accountant's report revealed client account cheques signed by him were not paid to the clients indicated on the stubs but used for personal purposes (including son's school fees) and to cover misuse of other clients' funds, with false accounting entries made to conceal the payments. A minimum cash shortage of £8,350 arose (£6,350 personal payments, £2,000 misuse of clients' funds). The respondent admitted the facts but did not appear; his adjournment application was refused. The Tribunal found he had adopted a calculated course of dishonesty, abusing client trust, and ordered him struck off the Roll plus costs.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Calculated course of dishonesty
• Abuse of client trust regarding safekeeping of monies
• False accounting entries made to conceal personal payments and earlier misuse of funds