ED Blades, GA Simpson, NRBH Mudiyanselage

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

On 25 April 2016 the SDT, dealing with the matter on the papers, approved Regulatory Settlement Agreements with the First and Second Respondents (Blades and Simpson), who admitted failing to maintain PII for 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013 while continuing to practise as Harrow Solicitors & Advocates. Each agreed to pay a £2,000 fine. The SRA had dropped the second (PII 2013) allegation as no longer in the public interest and the third (allegedly untrue renewal statement, against the First Respondent) due to evidential issues, so no dishonesty finding was made. Proceedings against the Third Respondent, who had returned to Sri Lanka, were withdrawn and referred to an SRA adjudicator. No order as to costs was made and the substantive hearing was vacated.

Duties found breached:

• Professional indemnity insurance

Mitigating factors:

• Respondents were in contact with the SRA while taking steps to close the Firm
• Followed SRA advice and voluntarily closed the Firm