Murdochs Solicitors

Professional Discipline & Regulation

Co-author of The Solicitor's Handbook (Law Society Publishing), Robert has a wealth of experience acting for firms and individuals in all aspects of Solicitors’ Professional Discipline & Regulation. Robert's primary work consists of providing defence representation in SRA investigations and SDT proceedings, early engagement with the SRA (self reports) and advising COLPs and COFAs. Robert joined Murdochs' team in 1995.

Robert also has experience acting for barristers in proceedings brought by the Bar Standards Board, legal executives in CILEx Regulation investigations, licensed conveyancers before the CLC Adjudication Panel, taxation professionals (CIOT/ATT) appearing before the Taxation Disciplinary Board tribunal and has experience before the House of Lords Conduct Committee.

Robert has also delivered a number of seminars on Solicitors Regulation, Professional Discipline & Professional Indemnity Insurance for The Law Society and MBL Seminars.

Robert sits on the Law Society-s Regulatory Processes Committee, has sat on the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal's Users Group and was appointed as external advisor to the SRA Compensation Arrangements Review 2012-2014 to give insight from a Defence Practitioner’s perspective. He is a member of the Lawyers Defence Group, the Solicitors Assistance Scheme and the Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers. His work comprises:

• Representation in SRA investigations
• Defence at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
• Appeals from the SDT to the Administrative Court
• Appeals to the SDT from decisions of the SRA
• Representation and advice when seeking to avoid SRA Intervention
• Appeals to the High Court against SRA Intervention
• Self-reports to the SRA
• Written Opinions and Advice on the SRA Standards & Regulations 2019, Legal Services Act 2007 & Solicitors Act 1974
• SRA Practising Certificate issues
• Admission to the Roll and the Suitability Test
• Advising firms, COLPs and COFAs on Compliance
• Voluntary Practice Closures
• SRA Authorisation for Authorised and Licensed Bodies (ABS)
• Successor Practice issues
• Reports for the purposes of insurance renewal
• Professional indemnity insurance coverage disputes
• Partnership disputes
• Representations against the publication of regulatory decisions
• Legal Ombudsman complaints

Robert Qualified as a solicitor 1997.

Examples of some of Robert’s cases :

• • SDT : SRA v C  Successfully defending a firm prosecuted by the SRA in the SDT alleged to have acted in conflict of interest in a fraudulent transaction. Allegation found not proven.
  • SRA : SRA v R Acting for a firm in successfully avoiding an SRA intervention. The SRA officer's recommendation to intervene not being upheld by the SRA Adjudication Panel.
  • SRA :  SRA v S  Acting for a large firm in a complex 3-year investigation into a purported fraudulent investment scheme. Investigation closed without sanction or publicity.
  • SRA/BSB :  Advising a University on the compliant establishment of an LLP providing services to the public under SRA and BSB rules.
  • SRA : Advising an unregulated entity employing solicitors on the conduct of work falling short of reserved instrument activities.
  • SDT : SRA v O and T Successfully negotiated an Agreed Outcome for a firm, its COLP and MLCO resolving by way of agreed fine and limited costs very serious allegations of breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations.
  • SRA : SRA re W Acting for a medium-sized firm in a number of concurrent but separate SRA investigations into acting in a fraudulent transaction, breach of a court order by the firm, and failure to account to a client for money over several years, all closed with no further action.
  • SRA : SRA Acting in a 3-year investigation concerning alleged sexual misconduct of a high profile solicitor - vehemently denied - no further action taken by the SRA.
  • SRA : SRA re G Successfully representing an experienced solicitor alleged to have acted dishonestly in fraudulent commercial property investment scheme - Investigation closed with no further action.
  • SDT : SRA v K Successfully defending a senior partner in a 5-day hearing at the Tribunal hearing multiple allegations of dishonesty, acting without integrity, recklessness and other rule breaches following two judicial findings of dishonesty. All allegations dismissed.
  • SDT : SRA v J  Successfully defending an experienced solicitor alleged to have acted dishonesty, without integrity and recklessly in misleading a court, opponent, client and her employer. All allegations dismissed
  • SDT : SRA v B  Successfully defending an experienced solicitor, former counsel, initially in SRA investigation and then subsequent SDT proceedings. Agreed Outcome reached at the SDT including withdrawal of allegations. Dishonesty allegations dropped at investigation stage.
  • SRA: SRA re B Successfully representing Magic Circle senior partner - Internal investigation re alleged fraud concluded with no further action by firm or European regulator.

• Examples of leading cases in which Robert has acted :

  • Admin Ct : Solicitors Regulation Authority v MacGregor [2018] EWHC 3058 (Admin) - Acting for the Respondent in an SRA appeal against SDT sanction
  • Admin Ct : Solicitors Regulation Authority v Naylor [2018] EWHC 3058 (Admin) - Acting for the Respondent in an SRA appeal against SDT sanction
  • Court of Appeal : Solicitors Regulation Authority v Kadurugamuwa [2018] - Successfully resisted SRA application for permission to appeal.
  • Admin Ct : Solicitors Regulation Authority v Kadurugamuwa [2017] EWHC 2245 (Admin) – Successfully defended SRA appeal against SDT sanction

Publications :

Co-author of The Solicitor's Handbook, editions 2024, 2022 and 2019, contributor to previous editions.

Contact e-mail address : [email protected]

Murdochs Solicitors 1995 to present

Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers Solicitors Assistance Scheme Lawyers Defence Group