Roger Allanson THE former boss of a Bolton solicitors firm - embroiled in a controversial mortgages scheme - has been struck off. Roger Allanson’s firm, formerly based in Central Street, specialised in breaches in mortgage contracts relating to payment miscalculations. And he has previously insisted to The Bolton News that there was “nothing dishonest” about the scheme, which had raised £20m and was covered by insurance. But his industry watchdog, the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority closed down his firm, which also had offices in Wigan, in May 2019. An intervening agent, Bradford-based Gordons LLP, was appointed, amid claims he had breached solicitors’ operational and accounting rules.
By John Hyde2021-02-04T15:00:00+00:00
The former boss of a high-profile ‘new breed’ firm which collapsed in 2019 has been charged with inflating costs by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
The regulator confirmed today it is pursuing a prosecution against Andrew Roman Pena, 54, over alleged misconduct during his time with consultancy firm Cubism Law.
Pena will face a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearing to face an allegation that he created or caused to be created invoices that did not reflect work done and costs properly due. It is alleged this went on from January 2017 to March 2019.
Andrew Pena
Further allegations faced by Pena are that he improperly transferred or caused to be transferred client funds from the client account of the firm, and in April 2019 obtained a loan from a private individual without fully informing her of the financial situation at Cubism and/or without ensuring that she first obtained independent advice.
By John Hyde2021-02-03T10:22:00+00:00
A solicitor who misled parties about the progress of cases – then pinned the blame on other staff at his firm – has been struck off.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found that Gary James Burns made untrue statements to a client mortgagor, a client’s agent, a supervisor and HM Land Registry about how different matters were progressing.
Burns blamed support staff at his firm for not doing the jobs he had delegated to them, but the tribunal found he dishonestly acted to cover up lack of progress on various client matters.
As an experienced solicitor, he had direct control over what happened and his actions, the tribunal found. While he made repeated reference to stress, anxiety and pressure, he was aware of the untruthful statements he was providing.
By John Hyde2021-02-02T09:56:00+00:00
A solicitor struck off in 2011 has been allowed back into the profession by the tribunal, which overruled the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s objections to his return.
Shadab Ahmed Khan made a successful application to restore his name to the roll after the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal accepted ‘much water had passed under the bridge’ since his convictions on money laundering charges in 2009.
It was Bradford-based Khan’s second attempt to resurrect his career as a solicitor: a previous application was refused in 2018 after the tribunal said he had not shown enough insight to understand the gravity of his offences.
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