Martin Andrew Conroy

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

Martin Andrew Conroy, a solicitor operating a case management company and acting as a receiver for the Court of Protection, paid receivership funds belonging to two vulnerable clients (Ms EW £800,000 and Ms GS sums totalling over £106,000) into his company's office accounts rather than client/receivership accounts. This reduced his business overdraft and gave him a financial benefit while leaving the vulnerable clients with less protection. A shortfall of £157,748.95 was identified. The Tribunal applied the Twinsectra two-stage test and found his conduct dishonest, rejecting his explanations as unconvincing. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £5,096.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Clients were vulnerable people entitled to the highest standard of care
• Money placed at unnecessary risk with less protection in office account
• Used receivership funds to reduce his business overdraft and gain financial benefit
• Only rectified matters once the error was pointed out by the SRA
• His status as a solicitor gave his business dealings enhanced credibility

Mitigating factors:

• Repaid the funds plus interest at 6% to the clients
• Voluntarily transferred his functions to a new deputy
• Supportive statements from clients' families
• No prior findings