Alison Hazel Margaret Greer

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

Alison Hazel Margaret Greer, a partner and Designated Cashroom Partner at Alder Hogg, Solicitors, was found guilty of professional misconduct for failing to supervise her husband (the firm's non-solicitor office manager and cashier) and failing in her cashroom partner duties, allowing a system of excessive executry fees to persist over three years resulting in a client account deficit of £126,828.64. Fee notes were prepared by her husband, who had previously concealed correspondence from her. Although her husband's conduct involved dishonesty, no express finding of dishonesty was made against the Respondent; her plea was on the basis she was not actively involved but responsible as cashroom partner. The Tribunal found her culpability greater than her twin brother (previously suspended five years) and ordered her name struck off the Roll, plus liability for expenses (amount to be taxed).

Duties found breached:

• Fair, reasonable and lawful fees
• No improper use of client money
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Course of conduct persisting over approximately three years
• Client account continually in deficit; deficit of £126,828.64
• Overcharging funded the partners' drawings
• Prior knowledge of her husband's dishonesty in concealing correspondence, requiring high supervision
• Awareness of the firm's previous financial difficulties
• Culpability significantly greater than her twin brother who was suspended for five years
• Executries were her specific area of work

Mitigating factors:

• Not actively involved in the charging or rendering of fees; responsible only in role as cashroom partner
• Gained nothing other than her salary
• Significant personal circumstances and difficulties (supported by psychiatric report)
• Working limited hours due to personal circumstances
• No other matters on her disciplinary record
• Cooperated via Minute of Admissions admitting misconduct