A solicitor who failed to hand in his accounts rep

A solicitor who failed to hand in his accounts report on time escaped without punishment today.

(Tues)

Martin Firmin, 53, found himself in trouble with the Law Society after he missed a deadline to hand in his ledgers.

But the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal decided not to impose any penalty after they heard Firmin had been let down by his accountant.

Emma Grace, for the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors, said the matter arose while Firmin worked at RGF Vickery and Co, based in Crook Log, Bexleyheath, Kent.

He later set up in practice as Martin L Firmin at Kiln House, Spendiff, Cooling, Rochester where he currently works.

Firmin was meant to file two reports for the periods ending 31 August 2000 and 28 February 2001.

But the Law Society wrote to him when the ledgers were not handed in.

Firmin later said he was at a ‘complete loss’ when he discovered the files had not been sent.

But he explained he was having problems with his accountant.

He was later given a 56 day deadline to file the accounts but failed to hand them in on time, said Miss Grace.

The tribunal heard the reports were finally handed in yesterday.

Firmin appeared at the hearing today to admit failing to file his accountants reports and failing to comply with an adjudicators decision.

But he told the tribunal: ‘There has been no neglect on my part or wilful refusal to comply with the adjudicators.

‘I have done all I possibly could to comply with the obligations.

‘I am not able to understand why suddenly my accountant has failed to deliver the reports.

‘I asked questions.

I have not been given any reason at all.

‘

Firmin said he spent over a year repeatedly instructing the accountant to send in the paperwork.

He added: ‘The accountant has accepted full responsibility for the delay.

‘He confirms I did instruct him and did hand him the documents.

‘

Firmin said that the error has led to the Law Society imposing a condition on his certificate that he cannot practice on his own.

He commented: ‘I’m devastated by this decision.

I shall have no alternative but to close the practice.

‘It has been very unfair when I feel I have done nothing wrong.

‘I did everything I could to deliver my reports.

I feel I have been let down by my accountant.

‘

After a brief period of deliberation tribunal chairman Richard Bamford said: ‘We are satisfied you have done everything possible to actually resolve the problems facing you.

‘Under the circumstances we have decided to make no order whatsoever.

‘

The tribunal also encouraged Firmin to write to the Law Society in a bid to get the practicing condition on his certificate lifted.

Firmin was ordered to pay costs of pnds stlg 1,780.

ends