David Roy Larkin

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

David Roy Larkin, a sole practitioner, was found to have misappropriated client funds transferred from a closed firm's client account by transferring money to his office account against spurious bills of costs he had drawn. The Tribunal found express dishonesty in relation to allegations of drawing monies for his own benefit, dishonest misappropriation of clients' funds, and overcharging. He was struck off the Roll of Solicitors and ordered to pay costs of £16,244.02. (A separate June 2001 matter had earlier resulted in a £5,000 fine.)

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Drew spurious/dummy bills of costs to camouflage misappropriation
• Failure of proper stewardship over clients' money
• Cash shortage of £53,306.01 on client account
• Misuse of client funds totalling £49,000

Mitigating factors:

• Made full restitution to Ealing (£49,097.56)
• Practice had ceased to be viable before intervention
• Personal and financial difficulties
• No client ultimately suffered loss