Bere-Pele Dan Harry

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

Bere-Pele Dan Harry, admitted 1997, practised as D J Harry & Co. The Tribunal found all ten allegations substantiated: he retained another solicitor's client files while repeatedly denying it; he misled the Financial Services Tribunal by giving untrue evidence on oath (found to have acted deceitfully contrary to Principle 17.01); he committed numerous Solicitors' Accounts Rules breaches producing a client account shortage of £43,260.98; and used misleading notepaper naming false partners. The Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £15,939.30.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Account for interest on client money
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Gave false evidence on oath before a statutory tribunal
• Repeatedly denied retaining files causing clients loss including missed limitation dates
• Wholesale flouting of the Solicitors' Accounts Rules
• Partnership appeared to be a sham with Respondent the true principal
• Purported to replace shortage with a cheque that was dishonoured
• Catalogue of inappropriate behaviour