John Slade misused client money in a scam, leaving profession in permanent disgrace
A solicitor with nearly half a century in practice has been struck off after misusing client funds in a desperate attempt to fuel payments into what turned out to be a fraudulent internet scheme.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) found that John Randall Slade, admitted in 1969, repeatedly raided his client account between December 2013 and May 2014, withdrawing more than £225,000 to hand over to company that promised lucrative online advertising and domain name sales. The tribunal ruled his conduct dishonest, deliberate, and entirely at odds with the standards required of the profession.
Slade, who had practised as a sole practitioner under the name JR Slade, did not attend his disciplinary hearing but admitted the allegations in writing. He described himself as having been “sucked in” by a sophisticated fraud and said poor health clouded his judgement. Despite these explanations, the panel concluded his behaviour was “plainly wrong” and could not be excused.
Investigators discovered that Slade made 24 improper withdrawals from his client account, ranging from £1,500 to £25,000 at a time. Although he paid back some of the money in instalments, a cash shortage of more than £42,000 remained outstanding when the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) began its investigation in 2014. Slade later restored the missing balance after releasing equity from his home, but the damage to public trust was done.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe tribunal heard that Slade had been targeted by a company calling itself “DB”, which promised that websites he paid for could be sold on for hundreds of thousands of pounds. He claimed he feared repercussions if he failed to keep up the stream of payments demanded. In his statement to investigators, Slade admitted he had borrowed from client account when his own funds ran out, adding that he had always considered client money to be “sacrosanct” until then.
The SRA’s forensic investigation revealed further breaches of the accounts rules. Slade failed to keep proper records, relied on scraps of paper and his memory to track withdrawals, and did not maintain up-to-date ledgers after his bookkeeper left in May 2014. When pressed, he conceded that his accounts were unreliable and incomplete.
Even after being warned by regulators that his client account was deficient, Slade went on to transfer more than £8,600 into his office account to reduce an overdraft. The tribunal said this showed he put his own interests ahead of those of his clients and knowingly acted while their money was at risk.
In mitigation, Slade expressed deep regret, describing the episode as a “sorry note” on which to end a 45-year career. He said he had no intention of returning to practice and stressed that he had ensured clients did not suffer permanent financial loss. The tribunal acknowledged his previous unblemished record but emphasised that dishonesty is “the most serious breach” and almost always results in being struck off.
Quoting the leading case of Bolton v Law Society, the panel said the profession relies on solicitors being trusted “to the ends of the earth”. In Slade’s case, that trust had been fatally compromised.
The tribunal concluded that striking him off was the only sanction that would protect the public and preserve confidence in the profession. He was also ordered to pay £8,550 in costs.
The decision ends a once-long and apparently respectable career in disgrace, with Slade permanently removed from the Roll of Solicitors