Profession
Fines made against solicitors for misconduct have risen to a total of £585,500 over the past year, according to the annual report of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT).
In the year ending 30 April 2008, fines were imposed against 110 solicitors, an increase of 24 since 2007, with amounts ranging from £500 to £20,000.
In addition, applications were found to have risen by 5% on the previous year. A total of 61 solicitors were struck off in 2008, a fall of six since 2007.
The majority of solicitors were struck off for allegations of account rule breaches (28%), failures (22%) and general breaches (35%). A failure to exercise probity, integrity and trustworthiness was found in 17% of cases, a decrease of 7% on 2007.
Anthony Isaacs, president of the SDT, says a considerable burden had been placed on the tribunal over the past year, due to the length and complexity of a substantial number of cases that involved a large amount of documentary evidence, with the majority of the weight being felt by clerks.
Isaacs adds: “It has become apparent that our court room and offices are not adequate for the current workload and we are therefore appreciative of the Law Society’s agreement to increase the tribunal’s office space.”
The SDT will have use of an additonal floor in Gate House on a lease arrangement.
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