Terence James Synnott

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

Sole practitioner Terence James Synnott was found to have breached the Solicitors Accounts Rules and Solicitors Code of Conduct across three client matters (Mrs W, Mr & Mrs Carter, and Mrs E), including improperly transferring client funds to office account without delivering bills, failing to register a lender's charge and handing over its file to a third party, and failing to comply with an SRA notice. The Tribunal found he acted with a lack of integrity (re Carter and Mrs E) but expressly did NOT find dishonesty proved on either the Mrs W or Carter matters, as the subjective limb of the Twinsectra test was not satisfied. The Tribunal refused the SRA's late applications to clarify its case and to recall the Respondent. Given the seriousness of the conduct, the Respondent was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £40,000 (not enforceable without leave). The Applicant was ordered to pay the Respondent £5,000 costs for the failed recall application.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Account for interest on client money
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Two previous appearances before the Tribunal (fined £5,000 in 2009, suspended in 2010)
• Evidence found inconsistent, contradictory and implausible, casting doubt on credibility
• Consistent theme of failing to cooperate with the regulator
• Conduct damaged the reputation of the profession and placed the public at risk
• Handed lender client's file including unregistered Charge to a third party without consent

Mitigating factors:

• Reported Mr D's suspected fraud to the police and SOCA, leading to his arrest and conviction
• Difficult personal and financial circumstances and stress at the time of closing his practice
• Positive character references

⚠ figures not found verbatim in the source were dropped: ["review_dishonesty_finding_cue_present"]