Alan Lynch

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

Alan Lynch, admitted 1978, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of false accounting at Warrington Crown Court (sentenced to 3 months suspended for 12 months). He had taken money for searches not carried out and dishonestly transferred client account balances to office account. The Tribunal found the allegation substantiated, expressly found dishonesty, and struck him off the Roll, ordering him to pay £20,000 costs.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Repeated course of conduct/breach of trust to clients
• Conviction in the Crown Court involving dishonesty in connection with practice

Mitigating factors:

• Early admission of wrongdoing on the first day of inspection
• Full cooperation with investigation
• All funds restored to clients; no client ultimately prejudiced