Roger Brian Allanson

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

Roger Brian Allanson, a solicitor and partner at Allansons LLP, ran a mortgage miscalculation litigation funding scheme that took over £19m from litigation funders. The SDT found that his litigation funding brochure gave multiple misleading impressions (no/little risk, returns in 6-18 months, that £4,000 covered only the expert report, that two barristers had assessed 75% prospects, and a proven track record) and that this was done dishonestly. It found he dishonestly misused funders' monies, transferring substantial sums (including over £120,000 to his own account) for purposes outside the funding agreement. The Tribunal also found manifest incompetence in failing to progress over 4,755 funded claims (no settlements, no proceedings issued), inappropriate emails to a funder, and numerous breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Rules. Express dishonesty was found under the Ivey test. The Tribunal found no mitigating factors and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £103,867.55. His appeal to the High Court was dismissed.

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Competence
• Integrity
• No improper use of client money
• No taking unfair advantage
• Proper basis for allegations
• Truthful, non-misleading advertising

Aggravating factors:

• Substantial dishonesty
• Conduct deliberate, calculated and repeated over a period of time
• Concealment of wrongdoing in correspondence and misrepresentations in the brochure
• Litigation funders taken advantage of
• Primarily motivated by financial gain
• Previous disciplinary finding (£17,000 fine in December 2018)
• Foreseeable and significant harm to profession, funders and clients