Kevin Alexander Long

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

Three solicitors of Alexanders Solicitors Ltd faced allegations arising from a SRA forensic investigation that found accounts not compliant with the 1998 Rules, unpaid disbursements retained in office account, improper transfers, and a minimum client account shortage of £214,166.18. The Tribunal found all allegations proved. Against the First Respondent, Kevin Alexander Long, it made an express finding of dishonesty (Twinsectra test) - he misappropriated client funds, set up LAS to secretly receive commissions, misled client Ms B about an ATE premium shortfall, and made unexplained cash withdrawals. He was struck off and ordered to pay costs of £31,387.76. The Second and Third Respondents (running the firm with Long) were found to have committed regulatory breaches through naivety but not dishonesty or recklessness; they were reprimanded and each ordered to pay £5,000 costs. All costs orders were not to be enforced without the Tribunal's consent.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Act in the client's best interests
• Costs and fee transparency to client
• Disclose referrals, commissions and benefits
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Systematic and widespread misuse of clients' funds by Mr Long
• Concealment via setting up LAS with name similar to legitimate LAS Limited to deceive co-directors
• Lying to client Ms B about an irrecoverable ATE premium shortfall that had in fact been recovered in full
• Unexplained cash withdrawals of £6,000 from client account
• Retention of unpaid disbursements to assist firm cash flow despite knowledge
• Minimum cash shortage of £214,166.18 on client account

Mitigating factors:

• For Second/Third Respondents: no dishonesty; they were misled by Mr Long who controlled finances
• They reported matters to the SRA and cooperated fully
• They took steps to reimburse clients with goodwill payments
• Their culpability was at the bottom end of the scale
• Personal hardship, ill health and financial difficulties
• Previous good careers in police and army