Michael Alexander Reid

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

Michael Alexander Reid, a sole practitioner whose firm closed in December 2008, failed to file a final accountants' report for the period 5 May 2008 to 15 December 2008, failed to comply with an Adjudicator's expectation, and failed to respond to numerous SRA letters. He did not engage with proceedings and did not appear. All three allegations were proved. Given this was his third referral and a clear pattern of failing to engage with the regulator, the Tribunal imposed an indefinite suspension with conditions to be met before it could be lifted, plus costs of £3,775. No dishonesty was alleged or found.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Third referral to the Tribunal
• Pattern of behaviour in failing to engage with the regulator, including prior similar findings in 2008 and 2010
• Total lack of engagement with these proceedings
• Accountants' report still outstanding; position on client funds at firm closure unknown, putting public at risk

Mitigating factors:

• No evidence of improper use of client funds
• Firm closed voluntarily with no issues of concern
• No known complaints or claims from clients; client monies may well have been returned
• Routine closure