Donald Edwin Strong

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

Sole practitioner admitted in 1960; Law Society Investigation Accountant found a cash shortage on client account of £21,520.32, arising from improper transfers to office account, overpayments to six clients, and unallocated bank charges. Books were not maintained beyond 30 November 1993. He also caused serious unexplained delays in building society conveyancing and lost title deeds, failing to respond to correspondence. The respondent admitted the allegations save dishonesty, but the Tribunal expressly found he had been dishonest. Struck off and ordered to pay fixed costs of £1,217 plus the Investigation Accountant's costs to be taxed.

Duties found breached:

• Keep client informed and respond promptly
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Substantial cash shortage on client account exceeding £21,000
• Hard to accept respondent was unaware of the shortage which would have been apparent had books been in order
• Inconvenience and concern caused to building society clients deemed entirely unacceptable
• Law Society intervention into the practice

Mitigating factors:

• Over thirty years in practice with no prior issues
• Intended to replace cash shortage from sale of his house
• Recovery of £12,080.85 made following intervention; no subvention grant needed
• Apologised to the Tribunal and the building societies
• Did not intend to practise again