Michael Healey

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

Michael Healey, a sole practitioner solicitor, was found to have misappropriated a minimum of £31,078.25 in client monies by paying them into his office account and using them for personal and business expenses, provided misleading information to two clients about settled claims, and falsely stated on his practising certificate that he had never held client money. He also failed to have a client account, keep proper accounting records, remedy the shortfall, and notify the SRA of serious financial difficulty. The Tribunal made an express finding of dishonesty applying the Twinsectra test. Proceeding in the Respondent's absence (he was hospitalised), the Tribunal found all allegations proved. Finding no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £12,152.72 (which would fall to be dealt with in his bankruptcy).

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Firm governance, systems and compliance
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty found - a significant aggravating factor
• Repeated conduct over a 14-month period
• Breach of trust of clients and misleading them
• Misled the regulator via false statement on practising certificate form
• Experienced solicitor with prior partner-level experience
• No voluntary notification of regulatory breaches
• Direct harm to clients and claims on Compensation Fund

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary record
• Contrition and expressed being deeply sorry
• Early admissions and co-operation during investigation
• Repaid one client (DM) £4,200
• Financial difficulties partly due to delayed LAA criminal contract
• Ill-health