Patrick Stephen Alexander Copinger

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

Patrick Stephen Alexander Copinger, the Cash Room Partner of Highland Law Practice, was found guilty of professional misconduct for breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Rules and related practice rules. The firm's client account was in deficit (estimated over £100,000), with numerous transfers used for firm expenditure and partner drawings not properly posted, and accounting records that did not reflect the true financial position since 2009. The Respondent attributed the issues to a software bug ('Prophecy SLPM') but had been warned at a 2008 inspection to address underlying systems. Although the Complainers averred the conduct was 'deliberate', the Respondent admitted misconduct but disputed the word 'deliberately'. The Tribunal found the inaccurate postings 'deliberately resulted' in inaccurate accounts. Numerous procedural hearings dealt with motions to sist pending a criminal investigation, which were refused. The Tribunal ordered the Respondent's name struck from the Roll of Solicitors, found him liable for expenses, and deferred publicity until conclusion of any criminal proceedings.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Prior warning at 2008 inspection that matters including underlying systems would need to be addressed
• Failure to act on assurances given following the 2008 inspection
• Client account deficit accumulating since June/July 2009
• Transfers from client account used to pay firm expenditure and partner drawings
• Deliberate inaccurate postings resulting in firm's accounts not reflecting true financial position

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent was suspended from practice and could not practise
• Respondent indicated no intention to return to practice as a solicitor