A solicitor has been severely punished for a series of wrong doings.

The solicitor was struck off the roll of solicitors in relation to a set of fraudulent transactions that followed loan negotiations.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) imposed the punishment after Michael Anthony Webster, 50, partner at property solicitor firm, Webster Dixon LLP of Holborn Circus, London  admitted to failing to uphold rule of law and the proper administration of justice, failing to act with integrity and failing to behave in a way that maintains the trust the public places in him.

The solicitor’s recent eight month jail sentence contributed to the action.  Last July, he was sentenced for fraudulent activities in relation to a loan which was needed to acquire and transport diamonds.

Mr Webster carried out his practice as a partner at property solicitor firm, Webster Dixon LLP of Holborn Circus, London and was investigated by the SRA after his business partner flagged the firm’s accounting irregularities to the body.  

The firm entered liquidation on 12 April 2013 and in the Crown Court at the Central Criminal Court on 23 May 2014 Mr Webster was convicted of dishonesty and making false representation.

The offence was in relation to Mr Webster’s attempts to negotiate a loan for a client who intended to purchase diamonds from Ghana and sell them in Dubai.

After the loan failed to complete, Mr Webster conducted five fraudulent transactions, over eleven days. These were from a client account totalling £75,605. He returned £27,000, however the £45,000 shortfall was covered by his professional indemnity insurers.

He was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment and ordered to pay £48,605 to Balva Insurance Company. Also, he received a 2 year Director disqualification.

Mr Webster remained on the Roll of Solicitors despite his conviction but at the SRA tribunal it was decided that he would be struck off.

Mr Webster not appear at the tribunal and nor did any legal representation on his behalf.

However, according to the judgement, in a letter he said: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my extreme regret and remorse for my actions that have led to the allegations filed against me,”.

“I have failed to live up to the high standard of discipline required by the profession and the personal standards of behaviour I have set myself over the past 25 years as a lawyer. I apologise
without reservation to the clients, business partners, work colleagues, friends and loved ones that I have let down and caused unnecessary stress and disappointment.

“The last two years have been tremendously challenging but finally I hope to put this sad episode behind me and begin a new chapter in my life.”

The Tribunal also decided that Mr Webster would pay the cost of the hearing of £2,000.