David Johnson

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

David Johnson, sole director, COLP and MLRO of Johnson Law Ltd, admitted that from 2011 to 2018 he failed to pay professional and non-professional disbursements after receiving settlement funds, instead using the money to run the Firm, failed to keep accurate accounting records, and breached an undertaking to repay a business loan. He admitted his conduct was dishonest. The Firm went into administration in January 2018 with a minimum of £46,490.77 (potentially over £790,000) owed to third party creditors. The Tribunal, dealing with the matter on the papers by Agreed Outcome, found the admissions properly made, no exceptional circumstances existed, and ordered that he be struck off the Roll and pay costs of £7,500.

Duties found breached:

• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Honour professional undertakings

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty over a lengthy period (2011 to 2018)
• Experienced solicitor, sole director, COLP and MLRO fully aware of duties to protect client money
• Significant sums outstanding to third party creditors (minimum £46,490.77, potentially over £790,000)
• Adverse effect on third party creditors who remain unpaid

Mitigating factors:

• Previously unblemished record
• Full co-operation with SRA investigations
• Made attempts to address monies owed to creditors
• Asserted no intention to permanently deprive creditors