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discipline 30 September 2026

The duty in context

Accounting records, reconciliation and reports money

The lawyer must keep accurate, contemporaneous accounting records, perform regular reconciliations, retain records for the prescribed period, and deliver any required accountant's report.

879 cases 67% strike-off avg suspension 23.6 mo avg fine 27,739 318 with dishonesty finding

How the codes express this duty

E&W Solicitors SRA Principles & Code SAR Rule 8.1; SAR Rule 8.3; SAR Rule 12.1 strong 644 cases
8.1 You keep and maintain accurate, contemporaneous, and chronological records to: ... 8.3 You complete at least every five weeks, for all client accounts held or operated by you, a reconciliation ... 12.1 ... you must: (a) obtain an accountant's report for that accounting period within six months of the end of the period; and (b) deliver it to the SRA within six months of the end of the accounting period if the accountant's report is qualified ...
E&W Barristers BSB Handbook rC88.1; rC87.2 partial 4 cases
rC88 You must: .1 ensure that adequate records supporting the fees charged or claimed in a case are kept at least until the later of the following: .a your fees have been paid; and .b any determination or assessment of costs in the case has been completed and the time for lodging an appeal ... has expired ...; rC87 ... .2 proper records of your practice are kept.
Cayman Islands Legal Services Code 2026 R.8.4(c) partial
maintain appropriate financial records including good file management/ accounting practices to demonstrate compliance with this R.8
AU Solicitors Solicitors' Conduct Rules no clear equivalent
AU Barristers Uniform Barristers Rules no clear equivalent
IE Solicitors Law Society Guide Ch9 — Accounts regulations: General strong 61 cases
To establish and maintain proper accounting systems and proper internal control systems to ensure compliance with the regulations... To deliver an annual accountant's report, as required by the regulations.
IE Barristers Bar Code of Conduct no clear equivalent
JM Attorneys Canons of Professional Ethics Canon VII; Canon VII(b)(i) strong 105 cases
AN ATTORNEY SHALL MAINTAIN PROPER ACCOUNTS AND OBSERVE PROPER ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES IN THE CONDUCT OF HIS ACCOUNTS ESPECIALLY AS REGARDS ACCOUNTING FOR THE FUNDS OF HIS CLIENTS. ... (b)(i) keep such accounts as shall clearly and accurately distinguish the financial position between himself and his client as and when required ... he shall for these purposes keep the said accounts in conformity with the regulations which may from time to time be prescribed by the General Legal Council.
JE Lawyers Law Society of Jersey Code R.7.4 c)-d) partial
Members must: ... c) ensure compliance with the Accounts Rules; d) maintain appropriate financial records including good file management/ accounting practices to demonstrate compliance with this R.7.4.
ON Lawyers LSO Rules of Prof. Conduct r 3.5-5 partial
A lawyer shall maintain such records as necessary to identify a client's property that is in the lawyer's custody. [Detailed accounting records, reconciliations and accountant's reports are governed by the by-laws under the Law Society Act, not spelled out in the RPC.]
BC Lawyers BC Code r 3.5-5 partial 21 cases
A lawyer must maintain such records as necessary to identify clients' property that is in the lawyer's custody.
NZ Lawyers Conduct & Client Care Rules no clear equivalent
SCO Solicitors LSS Standards of Conduct no clear equivalent
SG Lawyers Professional Conduct Rules 2015 no clear equivalent
HK Solicitors Solicitors' Guide Principle 2.03 Commentary 3 partial
Every principal is personally responsible for complying with the Solicitors' Accounts Rules (Cap. 159 sub. leg. F) and the Accountant's Report Rules (Cap. 159 sub. leg. A). All the principals will be liable to disciplinary action if there is a failure to comply with these Rules.
HK Barristers Bar Code of Conduct para 9.13(a) partial
ensure that adequate records supporting the fees charged or claimed in a case are kept at least until the last of the following: payment of his fees, completion of any taxation or determination or assessment of costs in the case or expiry of the time for lodging an appeal against such assessment or determination of that appeal;

Cases dealing with this duty

Clear

675 decisions · link basis: found breached = a tribunal finding; rule cited = the mapped provision is cited in the decision; text match = high-precision text pattern

  • Mohamed Faisal Mamon
    SDT solicitor 12831/2025 2026-05-19 found breached rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Indemnity Insurance Rules, Recklessness, SRA Principles 2019

    Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • Mark Christopher Sander
    LPCC-SA lawyer 9 Hackney Road, Hackney SA 5069 2026-02-18 found breached

    1. On 1 May 2014, the Practitioner opened a trust account. The Legal Practitioners Act 1981 (Act) imposes obligations on Practitioners who open trust accounts including an obligation to provide written notice of the ope…

    Multiple Disciplinary Action Conditions on Practising Certificate Fine Reprimand Submit to medical treatment / counselling View decision
  • Michelle Niaz
    SDT solicitor 12767/2025 2026-02-17 found breached rule cited

    Authorisation of Individuals Regulations 2019, Client Money, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • Md Zahidul Islam; Zarina Shaheen Bostan; Nageena Choudhry; Mohammed Saleem
    SDT solicitor 12651/2024 2026-01-08 found breached text match

    Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Solicitors' Accounts Rules

    Fine, Not Proved/Dismissed 1 PDF View decision
  • Douglas Burnett
    SSDT solicitor Douglas Burnett, Burnett Legal Services Limited, 6 King’s Gate, Aberdeen 2025-12-16 found breached
    fine No Appeal 1 PDF View decision
  • (unnamed)
    SDT solicitor 12787/2025 2025-11-18 found breached

    Client Money, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Money Laundering Regulations, Solicitors' Accounts Rules

    Restoration to the Roll - Refused 1 PDF View decision
  • Zhou, Ren
    OLSC solicitor Ren Zhou Group Pty Ltd trading as Ren Zhou Lawyers 2025-11-06 found breached

    The solicitor, as principal of a law practice: Caused a deficiency in the trust account by withdrawing trust money for payment of legal costs without complying with legislative requirements Mixed trust money with other …

    Fine Reprimand Satisfactory completion of a Practice Management Course $2,000.00 About ​ About the OLSC The Commissioner History Mission statement Structure Contact ​ Contact the OLSC Give us your feedback: online surveys Access to information (GIPAA) Community information ​ Information for lawyers Fact sheets FAQs Other regulatory and complaint-handling organisations Contact LawAccess NSW for legal information " You and Your Lawyer", Hot ​​Topics 78 Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC), State Library of NSW​ , provides access to information about the law in NSW regarding your lawyer Privacy Copyright and Disclaimer Website accessibility View decision
  • Stefanie Anne O’Bryen
    SDT solicitor 12611/2024 2025-11-03 found breached rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Money Laundering Regulations, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019

    Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • David James Chalcraft
    SDT solicitor 12620/2024 2025-10-06 found breached

    Code of Conduct 2011, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Dishonesty, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Yusuf Jamal Siddiqui
    SDT solicitor 12637/2024 2025-08-22 found breached rule cited

    Breaches, Client Money, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2019

    Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • Elizabeth Jane Radcliffe
    SDT solicitor 12700/2024 2025-08-22 found breached rule cited

    Breaches, Client Money, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • William Joseph Harris
    SDT solicitor 12738/2025 2025-07-25 found breached rule cited

    Breaches, Client Money, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Dishonesty, Lack of Integrity, Money Laundering Regulations, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • DGW Law Corporation
    LSBC lawyer 2025-07-08 found breached

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement 1 PDF View decision
  • Raja Shazad Khan; Ishtiaq Ahmed
    SDT solicitor 12540/2024 2025-04-14 found breached rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Dishonesty, Lack of Integrity, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off, Suspended period of Suspension 1 PDF View decision
  • Lynsay Kelly
    SSDT solicitor Lynsay Kelly, 29 St Vincent Crescent, Ayr 2025-04-08 found breached
    strike_off No Appeal 2 PDFs View decision
  • Respondent AM
    SDT solicitor 12645/2024 2025-03-14 found breached rule cited

    Code of Conduct 2011, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, SRA Authorisation Rules, SRA Principles 2019

    Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • Judith Anne Sheehan
    LSC-QLD solicitor Bartley Legal Pty Ltd 2025-03-14 found breached

    The Respondent's conduct with respect to Charges 1,3,4 and 5 constitutes professional misconduct

    Suspended 1 PDF View decision
  • John David Mair
    SSDT solicitor ohn David Mair, formerly of NEGO8 Ltd, 5 Whittingehame Drive, Glasgow 2025-02-28 found breached
    strike_off No Appeal 4 PDFs View decision
  • Law and Lawyers Limited; Francis Mathew
    SDT solicitor 12581/2024 2025-01-22 found breached rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Jasmin Dhillon
    LSBC lawyer 2024-12-19 found breached text match

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement 1 PDF View decision
  • Justin Singh Thind
    LSBC lawyer 2024-12-06 found breached

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement 1 PDF View decision
  • Betty Igwebike Forde
    SDT solicitor 12583/2024 2024-11-27 found breached

    Breaches, Client Money, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Failures, Money Laundering Regulations, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Chen Kok Siang Joseph
    SG-DT lawyer Joseph Chen & Co 2024-11-25 found breached
    Struck off the roll with immediate effect 1 PDF View decision
  • Amandeep Chandi Singh
    LSBC lawyer 2024-11-24 found breached

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement 1 PDF View decision
  • Richard Harbord
    SDT solicitor 12580/2024 2024-11-15 found breached rule cited

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Lack of Integrity, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Authorisation Rules, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Pr…

    Fine 1 PDF View decision

Duty classification does not yet cover every jurisdiction (Ontario, New Zealand and Singapore decisions are indexed but not yet duty-classified), so counts here understate those corpora.