Martin Darren Rounthwaite

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

Martin Darren Rounthwaite, a sole practitioner and COLP of Pro-Law Network, faced six allegations all found proved. Between 2016 and 2019 he received funds for costs and disbursements but failed to pay disbursements (totalling £14,208) or transfer them to client account, instead using funds to pay salaries and personal/business expenses. He failed to notify the SRA of the Firm's serious financial difficulties (which began in 2017), breached undertakings to Spencer Solicitors Ltd, and made inaccurate and misleading statements to SSL about RTA claim costs in emails. His conduct in relation to those misleading statements (allegation 1.4) was found to be dishonest. He also failed to effect an orderly closure of the Firm following his bankruptcy (16 Sept 2019) and the SRA intervention (18 Feb 2020). He did not attend the hearing, which proceeded in his absence. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay the Applicant's costs.

Duties found breached:

• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues
• Honour professional undertakings
• Integrity
• No improper use of client money
• Proper basis for allegations
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty (express finding in relation to allegation 1.4)
• Misuse of client funds totalling over £14,000 to pay personal/business expenses and family salaries
• Multiple County Court judgments obtained by creditors
• Failure to engage with the regulator and Tribunal proceedings

Mitigating factors:

• Suffered personal/health issues at the relevant time
• Made admissions during the SRA investigation that disbursements should have been paid and that he breached Principles 6, 8 and 10 / failed to achieve Outcome 10.3