Disgraced property solicitor banned

Disgraced property solicitor banned




After the SRA forced his property law practice to shut down, a corrupt solicitor has been banished from the industry.

After the SRA forced his property law practice to shut down, a corrupt solicitor has been banished from the industry.

Solicitor, Mr Andreas Erothodos Alexandrou, from East Barnet Hertfordshire was struck off by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) this week. He formerly traded with Alexandrou & Co based in High Barnet, a solicitor firm which traded in commercial property law.


The dishonest solicitor was banished from the industry after a Tribunal proved fourteen allegations brought against him by the SRA.

Some of the allegations included his failure to set up and keep proper accounting systems or records and he had a cash shortfall in the client account.

It was stated by the SRA that further allegations of dishonesty consisted of misleading statements to the court in the course of proceedings, in which Mr Alexandrou was appearing as solicitor for himself and his wife.

Mr Alexandrou's firm had previously been closed down by the SRA in May last year, where the grounds for intervention consisted of breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998; the SRA Accounts Rules 2011; the SRA Principles 2011; and the SRA Practising Regulations 2011.

Mr Andreas' practising certificate was suspended at that time.

The SRA's allegations included failing to have proper accounting systems, records and internal controls in place; failing to remedy breaches of accounts rules promptly upon discovery and allowing a shortfall of client funds to arise on his client account. Four counts of dishonesty were also upheld by the Tribunal.

Although Mr Alexandrou cited personal reasons to prevent a strike-off, he was unsuccessful. The Tribunal said that his behaviour amounted to dishonesty of the "most serious nature" and there were no exceptional circumstances to prevent a strike-off.

In the recent hearing, Mr Alexandrou was ordered to pay costs of £21,500.

Commenting on the matter, Gordon Ramsay, SRA Director of Legal and Enforcement said: "Mr Alexandrou’s failures to comply were comprehensive and spanned a long period. By his own admission he had been out of control but had continued to practise. He also failed to seek help. 

“These non-compliance issues would of themselves have justified a lengthy suspension and possibly a strike-off. However, in combination with the proven dishonesty allegations, a strike-off for these is also justified."

It was stated by the SRA that Mr Alexandrou has 21 days from receipt of the SDT's judgment to appeal.
 
Some of the information that was used in this case was found by Dato Capital
 

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