Andrew John March

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

Andrew John March, a solicitor and COFA of Ward Legal (UK) Limited, caused or allowed transfers of client money to the firm's office account between December 2014 and October 2015 (invoices totalling £112,442.53) without satisfying himself fees were properly due and without notifying clients, continuing despite the cashier's concerns. He also failed to remedy breaches, failed to report the firm's serious financial difficulties, placed personal funds through client account, and failed in his COFA reporting duties. The SRA withdrew its dishonesty allegation (Respondent was unable to engage due to ill health); he admitted all remaining allegations including lack of integrity. The Tribunal approved an Agreed Outcome, finding all allegations save dishonesty proved, and ordered him struck off the Roll plus costs of £26,936.76.

Duties found breached:

• Handle inadvertently received material
• Honesty
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Report serious misconduct of others
• Segregate client money

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct took place over a long period of time and was repeated
• He ought reasonably to have known his conduct was in material breach of his obligations
• He continued transfers despite concerns raised by the firm's cashier
• Failed to take steps to return funds to client account or reverse improper payments

Mitigating factors:

• Made admissions during forensic investigation and proceedings
• Previously unblemished disciplinary record
• Claimed ill health during the relevant period, supported by medical evidence
• Had not practised since the SRA intervention