SRA allows restricted employment at Andrew Isaacs Law for paralegal previously found dishonest
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has allowed Francesca Nicole Mears, a non-solicitor previously banned from unsupervised legal work, to return to practice under strict conditions.
Mears, formerly employed as a paralegal at Sills & Betteridge Solicitors, was made subject to a Section 43 order in November 2023 after the regulator found she misled clients in divorce cases. She told three clients their petitions had been issued by the court when she had no honest belief this was true, and falsely claimed court delays were to blame for lack of progress. Her employment with the Lincoln-based firm was terminated in October 2021.
At the time, the SRA concluded her conduct was dishonest and imposed restrictions preventing her from working in legal practice without its prior written approval. She was also ordered to pay £1,350 towards investigation costs.
In March 2024, the regulator granted permission for Mears to take up a position as a family law legal assistant with Andrew Isaacs Law Limited in Doncaster, subject to tight conditions. These included constant supervision by either Amanda Page or Roxanne Woolliams, no responsibility for client money or supervision of colleagues, and a requirement that any court applications drafted by her be signed off by her supervisor. She was also barred from representing clients at hearings.
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On 6 June 2025, the firm applied to vary the terms of her employment, seeking approval for her to work additionally from its Gainsborough office at Mercury House Business Centre, Foxby Lane Business Park. The SRA approved this variation in August 2025, again subject to the same conditions.
Under the regulator’s approval, Mears must:
- Remain under the supervision of Amanda Page or Roxanne Woolliams at all times.
- Limit her work strictly to duties outlined in the firm’s application.
- Notify the SRA of any proposed variation to her role, with no changes permitted without prior approval.
- Have no involvement in training, supervision of staff, or handling of client money.
- Attend regular supervision meetings.
- Refrain from representing clients at hearings.
The SRA confirmed that its decision was based on an assessment that Mears’ employment, under these restrictions, would not put public confidence in the profession or the interests of clients at risk. The approval lapses if her employment with Andrew Isaacs Law ends and remains subject to review at the regulator’s discretion.
Publishing its decision, the SRA emphasised that while it had judged the controlled employment arrangement to be safe, Mears remains subject to her Section 43 ban, reflecting the seriousness of her past dishonesty.
The regulator said: “Ms Mears’ conduct was serious because it lacked integrity and was dishonest.”
By imposing and maintaining conditions, the SRA seeks to balance accountability for past misconduct with the possibility of limited rehabilitation in a regulated setting.