Lawyer used his clients' money for life of luxury

A SOLICITOR who lived in luxury as he paid off his credit cards and the firm’s Christmas party bill using money from an account containing clients’ money has been struck off.

Paul Hewitt, 57, owned an 800,000 house with stables, sent his children to public school and drove a Jaguar XKR with a personalised number plate, the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal heard.

He had set up a secret account into which he paid sums of money his firm had not accounted for, and then used the cash for his own ends, writing them off as business expenses.

Meanwhile, Hewitt’s partner John Evans drove a 15-year-old Renault and both men were bankrupted as the firm collapsed. Evans then had to take van driving job on 14,000 a year.

Evans, 55, who attended the hearing alone, was fined 5,000 after the panel ruled he had been Hewitt’s victim. In addition to the striking off order, Hewitt was ordered to pay costs of 62,000.

The tribunal heard the two men had run Hewitt and Co from offices in Townhead Street, Sheffield. A total of 32,097 was paid into the “sundries” account from client’s money.

Hewitt made eight cash payments to himself of 7,600. Other payments were made to credit cards, a firm in which he had an interest, and to his son for IT work, the tribunal heard.

No allegations of dishonesty were made against either man – although tribunal chairman Boyd Holmes said the activities at Hewitt and Co would make a solicitor’s hair “stand on end”.’

When investigators raided the firm they were told the account “was used to transfer small balances which could not be identified”. Hewitt said amounts paid to him were expenses.

Both men ignored restrictions placed on their practice after their business was investigated. Hewitt also delayed settling a complaint over an employment tribunal for three years.

Evans admitted a series of allegations including wrongly withdrawing client money, failing to keep accounts and failing to comply with conditions on his practising certificate.

Hewitt did not indicate whether he denied or admitted the charges against him and was found guilty.

Evans told the hearing he admitted the charges on the basis he was jointly responsible for the business but had no idea the account containing client money had been set up.

He said: “I was utterly devastated and appalled to discover it’s existence,” adding that Hewitt had tempted him away from a job with another Sheffield firm to set up the partnership.

Evans said: “When he asked me to go with him I was flattered. I left my safe billet. It transpired very shortly afterwards that I was not in the same league as Paul Hewitt.

“Paul was a better solicitor than me and a harder worker and I was tagging on his coat tails. The accounts were run by Paul and his son and I had very little knowledge of the accounts.

“That is a failure by me. It was partly my weakness of character. I was unable to control these things. The transfers have been made by Paul Hewitt. In some cases they are for his benefit.

“There are transfers to him, his son and a mortgage broking firm in which I believe he had an interest. I drove a 15-year-old Megane. Paul Hewitt has a 800,000 house with horse boxes and his kids in public school and an XKR – all out of the firm.”

Evans said he and his wife found 80,000 to try to rescue the firm but were swamped by its financial liabilities. He said he resigned in October 2008 and never saw Hewitt again.

Evans said he now sells specialist outdoor fabrics but asked not to be struck off saying: “It’s a shame my father is still alive to see this. If you can find a way which leaves me a shred of dignity for my father’s sake, I would ask for that.”

Mr Holmes said Evans had been “straightforward and honest” and added: “ We do hope you find yourself working in the profession again.”