SRA said former manager falsely changed her name to that of a deceased client and misused company funds
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has imposed a section 43 order on former practice manager Adelle Stoddart after findings that she misappropriated more than £698,000 in client funds while working at a Nottinghamshire law firm.
The decision, made on 24 March 2026 and published on 18 May 2026, concerns Ms Stoddart’s conduct during her employment at Jackson Quinn, based on Grove Street in Retford.
According to the regulator, Ms Stoddart, who was employed as a practice manager at the firm, misappropriated client funds totalling £698,103.66 over a number of years. She was also found to have misused firm funds by using a company credit card for personal expenditure and falsifying documents in an attempt to conceal her actions.
The SRA further found that Ms Stoddart falsified a Change of Name deed, changing her name to that of a deceased client.
In its decision notice, the regulator said Ms Stoddart, who is not a solicitor, “was involved in a legal practice and has occasioned or been a party to an act or default which involved such conduct on her part that it is undesirable for her to be involved in a legal practice in any of the ways described in the order below”.
As a result, the SRA imposed an order under section 43(2) of the Solicitors Act 1974, restricting her from working in or around regulated legal practice without prior approval from the regulator.
The order means that no solicitor, recognised body, or employee of a regulated firm may employ or pay Ms Stoddart in connection with legal practice work unless the SRA grants written permission. She is also barred from acting as a manager or holding an interest in a recognised body without approval.
The regulator said the restrictions were necessary due to the seriousness of the conduct, which involved dishonesty.
Ms Stoddart was also ordered to pay £300 towards the SRA’s costs.
Section 43 orders are used by the SRA to restrict non-solicitors who have been involved in misconduct within legal practices, where the regulator considers it necessary to protect public confidence and maintain standards within the profession.