A dishonest law clerk who pocketed almost pnds stl
A dishonest law clerk who pocketed almost pnds stlg 3,500 of clients’ cash was today (THURS) banned from finding a job in the profession.
Elizabeth Beal was working as a trainee executive at Denison Till solicitors when she siphoned off the money.
The scandal at the firm’s offices in Piccadilly, York, only emerged when Beal took maternity leave last year.
An investigation by bosses revealed the missing money, and Beal later admitted in a letter that she took it.
The Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal in central London today heard that Beal has since been paying off the debt at pnds stlg 100 a month.
Margaret Bromley, for the Law Society, told the hearing: ‘She took money which she was not entitled to.
‘On a quite systematic basis, she took disbursements that she had not, in fact, incurred.
‘These came to light when she left on maternity leave and the firm undertook a thorough review of all her files.
‘They carried out an audit and then wrote to her, indicating that there was a shortfall of pnds stlg 3,952.
That was an error, and the amount was actually pnds stlg 3,436.
‘Her response to that letter was to say ”I am not in a position to comment on the figures and I therefore accept them.
My proposition is that the total should be repaid at pnds stlg 100 a month”.
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The tribunal was told that Beal offered no explanation as to why she took the cash, but wrote: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for my conduct and the obvious difficulties and inconveniences it has caused.
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Beal has so far paid back pnds stlg 750 of the debt.
Ms Bromley added: ‘She was employed in a position of trust and was trusted to take disbursements on a proper basis.
‘She betrayed that trust by taking money to which she was not entitled.
The conclusion to be drawn by her conduct is that it was dishonest.
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Beal, of Old Molton Gate, Molton, Yorkshire, did not respond to recorded delivery letters informing her of the charges and the hearing.
A special delivery letter was later returned with the message ‘Not called for.
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Panel chairman John Clitheroe ruled that Beal was guilty of conduct which made it undesirable for her to be employed as a solicitors’ clerk, and added: ‘We find there is clear dishonesty in this matter.
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Mr Clitheroe made an order stating that no law firm should employ Beal without prior permission from the Law Society.
Beal, who did not attend the hearing, was also ordered to pay pnds stlg 1,921 costs.
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