ED Blades, GA Simpson, NRBH Mudiyanselage

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

The Tribunal approved Regulatory Settlement Agreements with the First and Second Respondents, who admitted that the firm (Harrow Solicitors & Advocates) failed to take out and maintain professional indemnity insurance for the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013 while continuing to practise, in breach of SIIR 2012 Rule 5.1 and Principles 4, 6 and/or 8. Each agreed to pay a fine of £2,000, with no order as to costs (costs having been agreed between the parties). Proceedings against the First and Second Respondents were withdrawn on the basis of the RSAs. The second and third allegations were not pursued (public interest/evidential issues). Proceedings against the Third Respondent (who had returned to Sri Lanka) were withdrawn on the basis that the first allegation would be referred to an SRA adjudicator. No dishonesty was found.

Duties found breached:

• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Professional indemnity insurance

Mitigating factors:

• Respondents were in contact with the Applicant while taking steps to close the Firm
• Followed the Applicant's advice and voluntarily closed the Firm