Regulator says dishonesty and breach of trust made involvement in legal practice undesirable
A former legal cashier has been barred from working in an SRA-regulated law firm without prior approval after being convicted of fraud involving the theft of approximately £200,000 from her employer, underlining the regulator’s continued focus on protecting client and firm money.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) imposed a section 43 order on Rachel Wilson, formerly chief cashier at Liverpool Legal Services Ltd, previously known as E. Rex Makin and Co. Solicitors. The order prevents her from being employed or remunerated by a solicitor or recognised body, or from holding a management or ownership role in a regulated practice unless the SRA grants written permission.
According to the regulator’s published decision, Wilson abused her position of trust by transferring funds from the firm’s office account into bank accounts in her own name. The misconduct took place between April 2020 and August 2024 and totalled around £200,000. The irregularities were discovered after colleagues identified unusual transactions while she was on annual leave, prompting an internal investigation.
The firm subsequently dismissed Wilson for gross misconduct and referred the matter to the police. She later pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position under the Fraud Act 2006 and was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court in June 2025 to 26 months’ imprisonment.
In deciding to impose the restriction, the SRA said the conviction demonstrated conduct involving dishonesty and a serious breach of trust, making it undesirable for Wilson to be involved in legal practice without regulatory oversight. The regulator also ordered her to pay £600 towards the costs of its investigation.
Section 43 orders are commonly used where individuals who are not solicitors have worked within legal practice but whose conduct raises concerns about their suitability to continue working in the sector. The measure is intended to protect the public and maintain confidence in the profession by ensuring firms cannot employ such individuals without regulatory consent.
The case comes amid wider regulatory action against non-qualified law firm staff convicted of financial misconduct, reflecting an ongoing emphasis on safeguarding money held within legal practices. Recent enforcement decisions have underlined the importance placed on effective financial controls and supervision, particularly where staff hold roles involving access to accounts or payment systems.
For law firms, the decision serves as a reminder of the need for robust internal safeguards and regular monitoring of financial processes. Regulators continue to stress that clear oversight, separation of financial responsibilities and early investigation of irregularities remain essential in preventing misconduct and maintaining trust in legal services.