Kimberley Bridge & John Charles McNabb & Tracy Stansfield & Nicola Roach

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

SFN Solicitors was investigated by the SRA after a client account shortfall was reported. The First Respondent, Kimberley Bridge (managing partner), was found to have systematically misappropriated client money, fabricated an entire transaction (Mr & Mrs I), forged documents, and repeatedly lied to the investigating officer over eight months (including false claims about fires, asbestos and a stroke). The minimum cash shortage was £418,099.42. The Tribunal found her dishonest on multiple allegations and struck her off, ordering costs of £31,947.85 jointly and severally with the Fourth Respondent. The Fourth Respondent, Nicola Roach (an employee, the First Respondent's sister), was also found dishonest and made subject to a Section 43 order. The Second Respondent (senior partner) admitted accounts breaches and was fined £10,000, mitigated to £2,000 given his means, plus £8,420 costs (not enforceable without leave). The Third Respondent, who had left the firm on ill-health and self-reported, was reprimanded with £8,420 costs (not enforceable without leave).

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Firm governance, systems and compliance
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Report serious misconduct of others
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Premeditated and systematic conduct over a lengthy period
• Presenting forged documents to the investigating officer
• Repeated untruths and deceptions, including fabricating a transaction to cover up misconduct
• Systematic 'teeming and lading' of client monies
• Deceived fellow partners (Second and Third Respondents), causing them financial ruin
• No engagement with the disciplinary process

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters