Andrew Christopher Nicholls

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

The Respondent, a partner at Dakin Nicholls, paid three client account cheques for the benefit of other clients between February and July 2002, arranging false entries in the firm's books to conceal the misuse, and forged his partner Mrs Dakin's signature on a client account cheque. He pleaded guilty at Telford Magistrates Court and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment on each count, suspended for two years. The Tribunal found dishonesty and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £1,033.95. He did not attend or make representations.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations

Aggravating factors:

• Criminal convictions for dishonesty
• Forged partner's signature on a client account cheque
• Made false entries in firm's books to conceal misuse of client monies