He engaged in the unauthorized personal representation of clients and received payments from them
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal of the United Kingdom has struck off Michael Lennon, a 44-year-old solicitor admitted in 2011, following his serious misconduct while employed at DPP Law Ltd.
The tribunal found that Lennon engaged in the unauthorized personal representation of clients, directly soliciting and receiving payments from six clients into his personal bank account under the guise of acting on behalf of the firm.
Admitting to the rule breaches, including dishonesty, Lennon's misconduct came to light when he failed to use the firm's systems to open client files, used the firm’s letterheads without knowledge or authority, accepted client money into his account, and represented a client in criminal proceedings without the firm's permission.
A director at DPP Law Ltd alerted the Solicitors Regulation Authority after discovering Lennon's unauthorized criminal litigation activities. The tribunal, addressing Lennon's actions, highlighted his complete responsibility for the misconduct, noting the serious breach of trust towards his firm, colleagues, and clients.
The applicant, Solicitors Regulation Authority Ltd., was tasked with demonstrating the veracity of the allegations based on a preponderance of the evidence. In its considerations, the tribunal paid careful attention to its legal obligation under section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, ensuring its actions were in alignment with Lennon’s rights to a fair trial and the protection of their private and family life, as guaranteed by Articles 6 and 8 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
Lennon acknowledged all the violations mentioned, including the dishonesty charge, and agreed to the factual basis of these admissions. After evaluating the evidence presented, the Tribunal concluded that Lennon’s acknowledgments were made appropriately based on the balance of probabilities.
In its judgment, the tribunal declared that Lennon was “wholly culpable for his misconduct, which was extremely serious. He breached the trust that the firm, his colleagues, and clients had placed in him." It concluded that striking Lennon off the roll of solicitors was the only reasonable and proportionate sanction, given the dishonest nature of his conduct. Moreover, the tribunal ordered Lennon to pay £4,750 in costs as part of the agreed outcome.
