Folashade Mojisola Olowu

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

Folashade Mojisola Olowu, admitted 1999, was a partner (later assistant solicitor) at O S Johnson & Co. A Law Society inspection found the firm's books were not kept in compliance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998, with debit balances on 113 client ledger accounts totalling £430,954.40 as at 30 April 2004. The allegation of conduct unbefitting and breach of Rule 32 was found substantiated. The Respondent did not appear and took no part in the proceedings. The Tribunal imposed an indefinite suspension (with the option to apply to end it) and ordered her to pay 25% of costs up to 27 June 2006 plus all costs from 28 June 2006, subject to detailed assessment. No express finding of dishonesty was made. Her co-respondent former partner had earlier received a two-year suspension.

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Serious accounting failures; firm's finances in disarray
• Debit balances on 113 client ledger accounts cumulatively totalling £430,954.40
• Respondent had responsibilities as a partner at the material time
• No response, information or participation from the Respondent at any stage

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent asserted (via former partner) to have played a secondary role in administration
• Former partner Mr Ogunrinde was the signatory on the accounts and accepted full responsibility
• No client claimed any loss