Merrick v Law Society
19 December 2007
[2007] EWHC 2997 (Admin)
Citation: [2007] EWHC 2997 (Admin)
Facts:
The Solicitor's Disciplinary Tribunal found that the appellant solicitor had been guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor. He was suspended from practice as a solicitor for a period of 12 months and ordered to pay the Law Society's costs of £45,000
Held (in relation to the costs point only):
There was no general rule that the tribunal should not impose an order for costs in addition to an order for suspension or striking off a solicitor. Whether an order for costs, in addition to a suspension order, was appropriate fell to be determined on the facts of each individual case. In the circumstances of this case, particularly the fact that the appellant was 67 years old and that his suspension would very likely bring his professional career to an end, the imposition of the costs order was manifestly excessive or otherwise inappropriate.