Andrew Ian West

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

Andrew Ian West, a partner and head of Probate and Trust at Tilly Bailey and Irvine, raised unjustified bills to meet billing targets causing client account shortages totalling £33,106.34, and over 27 occasions made improper paper transfers between client ledgers totalling £294,584.60 to fund interim payments. He admitted the allegations and admitted dishonesty. The Tribunal found the allegations substantiated, noted no personal gain and his cooperation, but held this was admitted dishonesty involving sacrosanct client funds and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £9,000.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty involving clients' funds
• Repeated conduct over many years
• Potential loss to clients (cash shortages of £33,106.34; partners had to replace funds)

Mitigating factors:

• Early admissions and full cooperation with investigation
• No personal financial gain
• Perceived professional pressure to meet billing targets and personal stress requiring counselling
• Sincere remorse
• Attended Tribunal openly; testimonials in support