Andrew Brian Alexander Cooper

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

Andrew Brian Alexander Cooper, a probate Partner at Streathers Solicitors LLP, was found to have caused or allowed over 80 unauthorised payments from the Firm's client account between August 2019 and September 2022, leading to a cash shortage of up to £1,174,493.62, including £76,652.82 paid towards his own personal tax liabilities. He also inserted a client's (Person A's) electronic signature onto a letter to HMRC without consent, changing the executor's address to his own residential address, and then denied knowledge of the letter. The Tribunal found the allegations proved and made express findings of dishonesty under the Ivey test. Proceedings occurred in the Respondent's absence. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £29,451.29 (reduced from £38,731.29).

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Proven dishonesty
• Deliberate, calculated and repeated conduct over a period of three years
• Abuse of position of power and authority as a Partner
• Attempt to conceal misconduct by deleting the letter of 27 June 2022
• Blamed HMRC for the change of address
• Financial gain motivation
• Experienced solicitor who knew conduct breached obligations
• Failure to engage with the regulator's investigation

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary findings