Litigation Disciplinary Tribunals 25/11/97

James Michael Evans, 47, admitted 1973, practising at material time as JM Evans & Co, restored to the Roll. Evans struck off in 1986 after allegations that, inter alia, he breached accounting rules, mishandled client money, failed to pay insurance premiums, failed to reply to correspondence. Tribunal told Evans completed articles at Ipswich and Hull, was employed as a senior clerk at Kingston-upon-Hull Magistrates Court, then joined County Prosecuting Service, and became Deputy County Prosecutor. He took over a practice, and was in partnership until setting up on his own in 1980. He became aware of irregularities in the practice in 1985, reported them and closed down his practice. Tribunal accepted he had not been dishonest, but had been the victim of a family tragedy. In the unusual circumstances of the case it considered he should be restored to the Roll.



Christopher Heap, solicitor's clerk, employed by Lorimer Longhurst & Lees, Cambridge, from 1990-96, banned from working for any further solicitors without written consent of the Law Society and ordered to pay £742 general costs and £964 costs of investigation accountant. Allegation substantiated he misappropriated and/or misapplied funds held or received by his employers on behalf of clients. Tribunal said clerk who wrongly took clients' money should not be permitted to be employed within solicitors' profession without being subject to control.



Zavar Aslam, clerk with Dar & Co, Manchester, at material time, banned from working for solicitors without written consent from Law Society and ordered to pay £1,110 costs. Allegations substantiated he was jailed for three years after Crown Court conviction in 1996 for conspiracy to defraud. Tribunal was told Aslam made false insurance claims and was mastermind of a scheme which had involved a gullible doctor, a dishonest physiotherapist and unsuspecting insurance companies.