David Alun Price

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

David Alun Price, admitted 1982 and a sole principal/partner trading as Parrans & Co, was found guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor. An OSS inspection revealed a minimum client account shortage of £109,292.62, caused largely by improper transfers from client to office account purportedly for costs where no bills had been delivered and the costs could not be justified. He operated a "teeming and lading" system, disguising shortages by rolling them forward, and produced unwarranted bills. The Tribunal expressly found the improper utilisation of client funds was deliberate and dishonest. He did not appear; his adjournment requests (medical grounds and pending criminal trial) were refused, though publication was deferred until conclusion of the criminal trial. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £6,240.43.

Duties found breached:

• Avoid wasting the court's time
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Improper utilisation of client funds was deliberate and dishonest
• Operated a system of 'teeming and lading'
• Produced unwarranted/excessive bills to disguise the misuse
• Conduct at the highest end of the scale, bringing the profession into serious disrepute
• Shortage in excess of £109,000 across multiple client matters including deceased estates and charitable beneficiaries
• Conduct ongoing since at least late 1997