Solicitor Ordered to Pay £54,000 in Costs on Appeal from Fine of £2,000
19th January, 2018
Professional misconduct was recently at issue in the case of Donna Eloise Cannon v Solicitors Regulation Authority Case No: 11547-2016 Ms Cannon was ordered to pay the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (“SRA”) costs of £54,000 when she decided to appeal a decision to impose a Rebuke, fine of £2,000 and costs of £1,350.
Ms Cannon, who was at the relevant time a consultant for Karen Mackie Solicitor, faced five allegations from the SRA. These included:
- Acting inappropriately when dealing with her bank relationship manager;
- Disclosing sensitive information about her former partner to a client;
- Drafting correspondence in an inappropriate tone;
- Disclosing personal and sensitive data to an employer; and
- Holding herself out as a principal of Karen Mackie Solicitor.
All five allegations were found to be proved by the SRA who decided to impose a rebuke, a fine of £2,000 and costs of £1,350.
Ms Cannon decided to appeal the decision on the grounds that there was procedural unfairness, bias, failure to properly consider evidence and failure to apply the facts and law correctly.
Ms Cannon was unsuccessful in her appeal with the Tribunal stating,
“What had begun as a simple case of five allegations, for which the documents were sufficient proof, had turned on appeal into a three-day substantive hearing. It was not clear to the Tribunal why the Appellant had apparently so fundamentally misunderstood the nature of the allegations she had faced and the Adjudicator’s findings. For whatever reason, she had lost perspective and had pursued an appeal which appeared hopeless given that there was no evidence to suggest any unfairness or bias in the adjudication process.”
Ms Cannon was ultimately ordered to pay £54,015 in costs.
If you are facing an SRA investigation, SRA adjudication, or proceedings before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, then please contact our Professional Practices team for specialist advice.
 |
Paul BennettPartner in Professional Practices and Employment Law |
You might also be interested in...
Ethics Guidance – Transparency in Price and Service
16th November, 2018
It is reported that a quarter of all complaints dealt with by the Legal Ombudsman revolve around costs therefore to avoid complaints and confusion, it is important to be clear from the outset. The new Transparency Rules (which the SRA have now confirmed will come into effect on 6 December 2018) require that accurate and relevant information is... Read More »
Aaron & Partners Increases Recommendations in Leading Industry Guide, The Legal 500
5th November, 2018
Aaron & Partners LLP has once again seen improved rankings in The Legal 500 – a comprehensive guide... Read More »
Mental Health and Stress in the Workplace – 3/3
10th October, 2018
In the lead up to World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2018, we have been posting a series of short articles discussing mental health and stress in the workplace. In this final article, we will be providing tips, to employers and employees, for managing stress and dealing with mental ill health in the workplace. Click here to... Read More »