Bridget Miller was fined and ordered to pay costs after failing to flag £1.3m in suspect deposits.
A senior solicitor has been penalised after allowing over £1.3 million to flow through her firm’s client account without properly checking where the money came from.
Bridget Catherine Miller, formerly a salaried partner at WGS Solicitors, admitted to failing in her duties under anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) ruled she had materially contributed to compliance failures that occurred while she was overseeing transactions for a long-term client, referred to as Person B1.
Between June 2017 and November 2020, Miller handled dozens of transactions involving Person B1. These included a staggering 113 ‘remittance’ deposits, many made in round figures and in cash, totalling £1.49 million—of which £1.3 million was received after stricter AML laws came into effect in 2017.
The client had specifically asked the firm to create a general ledger, rather than individual ones for each matter, allowing funds to be shuffled internally across different property transactions. This setup, while convenient for the client, resulted in minimal scrutiny from the firm.
Despite receiving formal training in AML risks in 2019—which warned of high-risk clients, suspicious deposits, and inadequate documentation—Miller failed to question the source of the funds, conduct risk assessments, or ensure updated identification documents were in place.
The SRA’s forensic report, prompted by three self-reports from the firm in 2021, revealed that no matter-level risk assessments had been completed after the 2017 rules came into force. Still, multiple cash-heavy property deals went ahead with Miller listed as the responsible solicitor.
Embed from Getty ImagesThough she wasn’t involved in the firm’s banking operations, Miller acknowledged she should have acted once the volume and nature of the deposits became known in September 2019. She admitted to failing to scrutinise the funds and assess the risks posed by each transaction.
On 9 December 2024, the tribunal reviewed the agreed outcome between Miller and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). It ruled that her misconduct was “moderately serious”, imposing a £3,500 fine and ordering her to pay £6,500 in costs. The full penalty totals £10,000.
In reaching its decision, the tribunal considered Miller’s current unemployed status and limited financial means. She holds a practising certificate free of conditions but is not currently in paid legal work.
This case formed part of a wider investigation into WGS Solicitors, which had submitted reports concerning both Person A1 and Person B1. The SRA’s investigation uncovered a pattern of systemic AML failures involving cash-intensive transactions, outdated compliance documents, and unmonitored client accounts.
The ruling makes clear that even solicitors who don’t personally handle money are responsible for flagging unusual financial activity. The tribunal reiterated that “solicitors must be vigilant and uphold the public’s trust in the legal profession.”
Bridget Miller’s case now stands as a high-profile warning: AML rules exist for a reason, and ignoring them carries consequences—both for individuals and the firms they represent.
