Alan David Tickell

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

Alan David Tickell, a solicitor with 30 years' unblemished service practising at Rex Taylor & Meadows, admitted and was found to have committed numerous breaches of the Solicitors Code of Conduct and Solicitors Accounts Rules. These included raising false invoices and transferring client money to the office account for cash-flow purposes without client knowledge (estates of Mrs B and Mrs W), withdrawing client funds to redeem a charge on 11 M Drive without authority creating a shortfall, and repeatedly giving false assurances to his mortgagee client C&G over two and a half years about registration of its mortgage. The Tribunal made an express finding of dishonesty (applying Twinsectra) in respect of allegations 1.1, 1.3 and 1.7(c), which the Respondent had also admitted. Finding no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £20,000, not to be enforced without leave. The Second Respondent settled via a Regulatory Settlement Agreement (£2,000 fine, £3,000 costs) with proceedings withdrawn.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Safeguard documents and limit liens
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest conduct sustained over a considerable period (repeated deception of lender client over two and a half years, 12 lies in six communications)
• Multiple client matters affected
• Misused client funds to alleviate firm cash flow difficulties
• Gave untrue answer to the investigation officer denying similar matters existed

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted the substantive allegations and dishonesty from an early/informed stage
• 30 years of previously unblemished service
• Acting under great pressure as a sole practitioner following the death of one partner and drawn-out retirement of another
• No loss ultimately caused to clients and monies replaced
• Positive testimonials showing community respect and voluntary work
• Backdrop of the recession and personal circumstances