Sir Ian Seymour Collett

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

Sir Ian Seymour Collett, a solicitor and partner in Birkett Westthorpe & Long, failed to account to his partners for notarial fees received in 1992-1993, and improperly applied client funds in the 'S Marine' and 'FFF Ltd' matters for his own use. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated and, although the sums were small, held that his cavalier handling of the money and lack of candour amounted to dishonesty. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £2,287.80.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• No improper fee-sharing or partnership
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Manipulation of small amounts unlikely to be missed for his own benefit
• Lack of candour and frankness with partners
• Suggested disguising a client account balance under a false description

Mitigating factors:

• Sums of money involved were not great
• Cooperated with the Solicitors Complaints Bureau
• Apologised and accepted errors of judgement
• Personal, financial and emotional difficulties following departure from partnership