Taking the stand at the Solicitors’ Diciplinary Tr

Taking the stand at the Solicitors’ Diciplinary Tribunal in central London 41-year-old James Pilling told how he had made mistakes but at no times intended to be dishonest.

‘I have never been dishonest in my life.

I always intended to send out bills to both clients,’ he added.

Mr Pilling went onto explain that Mr Stott had been a difficult client and they regularly met to discuss Mr Bailey’s will.

‘Mr Stott was slightly annoyed he had not been left anything in the (Mr Bailey’s) will.

‘They had a father son type relationship and Mr Stott, who was a lot older, was aggrieved when Mr Bailey left all his money to the RSPCA after committing suicide.

‘It was a large estate and I billed it accordingly.

But with hindsight I can now see I may have over charged.

‘This at no time was intentional, I just assumed a figure of six per cent seemed the right amount.

‘I admit I did not keep very detailed accounts and maybe I charged a little more than I should.

‘But this was down to inexperience not dishonesty,’ Mr Pilling added.

When asked by Ian Ryan, for the OSS, if he had ever taken money from the client account Mr Pilling denied the accusation.

‘We used to transfer money from client accounts through a firm account, but this was always thought of as a client account.

‘I never once took money from any account for my own use.

‘

Mr Ryan asked him if he had ever had any financial difficulties.

He replied: ‘No my firm has never been in any trouble and I am financially sound.

‘What I did I did in error.

I admit I should have been more careful,’ he added.

Mr Pilling admitted he should have kept a closer check on his accounts but denied any misappropriation or dishonesty.

‘In the case of Mr Smith I was certain the bills had been sent out to the client.

‘I asked my secretary to fax the bills but it was not until this investigation I discovered that had not been done,’ he told the hearing.

The tribunal are now considering the evidence and they are expected to give their ruling later this afternoon.

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