David Coleman and 22 Others

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

Disciplinary proceedings against equity and salaried partners of Roythorne & Co and a former solicitor, David Coleman, concerning improper client-referral arrangements (with Associa/NFU and Ultimate Insurance) breaching the Solicitors Practice Rules and Introduction and Referral Code, fee sharing contrary to Rule 7, and multiple Solicitors Accounts Rules breaches. David Coleman, who instigated false ledger entries and misused the client account, was struck off as the Tribunal found he had been lacking in probity with conduct far below that expected; no express finding of dishonesty was recorded. The partners were fined (£3,000 for the supervising partner, £1,000 each for the others). Costs were ordered with thrown-away costs from Coleman's late witness statement borne by him and the balance split between Coleman and the partners.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report
• Honour professional undertakings
• No improper fee-sharing or partnership

Aggravating factors:

• David Coleman caused false and misleading entries in the books of account
• Flagrant disregard of the Rules and procedures protecting the public
• Coleman hid case mismanagement, lied to partners and clients, suppressed complaints and manufactured attendance notes
• Coleman's conduct caused some £100,000 in client compensation and very high costs

Mitigating factors:

• Partners' breaches were a genuine mistake or misunderstanding (belief Code not engaged)
• No client suffered financial disadvantage from the referral scheme
• Partners unaware of Coleman's irregularities until internal investigation
• Prompt remedial action: internal investigation, revised systems, appointment of compliance partner
• Well-established firm of good repute
• Partners self-reported the Accounts Rules breaches to the Law Society