Kevin Alexander Long

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

Kevin Alexander Long, principal/majority shareholder of Alexanders Solicitors Ltd, was found to have committed widespread Accounts Rules breaches and acted dishonestly - misappropriating client funds, operating an undisclosed business (LAS) taking insurance commissions, making misleading representations to a client (Ms B), and making unexplained client account withdrawals. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £31,387.76 (not enforceable without Tribunal consent). The two co-respondents admitted regulatory breaches but no dishonesty was alleged against them; they were each reprimanded and ordered to pay £5,000 costs each, given their low culpability, cooperation, remedial steps and personal hardship.

Duties found breached:

• Avoid wasting the court's time
• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Disclose referrals, commissions and benefits
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Firm governance, systems and compliance

Aggravating factors:

• Systematic dishonesty including setting up undisclosed business LAS taking 75% of insurance premiums
• Lied to client Ms B regarding 'irrecoverable shortfall' of ATE premium already recovered in full
• Unexplained cash withdrawals of £6,000 from client account
• Concealed activities from co-directors
• Misuse of clients' funds to assist firm cash flow
• Minimum cash shortage of £214,166.18

Mitigating factors:

• For the two reprimanded respondents: no dishonesty, low culpability, they were misled by Long who controlled finances
• They reported matters to the SRA and cooperated fully
• They reimbursed affected clients with goodwill payments
• Personal/health and financial hardship; previously good careers
• Long was the prime mover and held majority shareholding