David Alun Price

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

David Alun Price, a sole principal/partner at Parrans & Co, was found guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor. An OSS inspection revealed a minimum client account shortage of £109,292.62, largely due to improper transfers from client to office account purporting to be for costs where no bills had been delivered and costs were unjustified. He operated a 'teeming and lading' system to disguise ongoing shortages, in operation since at least late 1997. The Tribunal proceeded in his absence, refusing an adjournment after he failed to provide a required medical report, but ordered no publicity pending his criminal trial. The Tribunal expressly found the improper utilisation deliberate and dishonest, struck him off the Roll, and ordered costs of £6,240.43.

Duties found breached:

• Avoid wasting the court's time
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate and dishonest misuse of client funds
• Operated a 'teeming and lading' system to disguise shortages
• Produced unwarranted/false bills to cover improper transfers
• Minimum cash shortage of £109,292.62
• Conduct at the highest end of the scale, bringing profession into serious disrepute