Disciplinary Record - Eric Donald John Hunter

Decision - Employee-related decision

Outcome: Approval of employment (section 41)

Outcome date: 19 June 2018

Published date: 6 July 2018

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Blythe Liggins

Address(es): Edmund House, Rugby Road, Leamington Spa CV32 6EL

Firm ID: 68417

Firm or organisation at date of publication

Name: Moore & Tibbits Limited

Address(es): 34 High Street, Warwick CV34 4BE

Firm ID: 563197

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Mr Hunter was struck off the Roll of Solicitors by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, on 23 June 2011. In accordance with Section 41 of the Solicitors Act 1974 (the Act), any solicitor wishing to employ or remunerate him in connection with their practise as a solicitor must first obtain the SRA’s approval.

On 15 April 2016, Moore & Tibbits Limited were granted permission under the Act to employ Mr Hunter, subject to a condition that any variation to the terms of his employment must be notified to the SRA.

Moore & Tibbits Limited have applied to vary the terms of Mr Hunter’s employment to allow him to act on behalf of any client of Moore & Tibbits Limited. This has been granted subject to the following conditions:

1. Mr Hunter’s work will be directly supervised by Mr Christopher Houghton and in his absence Miss Ann Donnelly.
2. Mr Hunter can provide services to any client of Moore & Tibbits Limited, within the fields of law as specified within their letter, dated 23 May 2018, and signed by David Leigh-Hunt.
3. With the exception of condition 2 above, Mr Hunter’s work is limited to that described in the questionnaire signed by Christopher Houghton dated 4 February 2016, emails dated 17 and 18 March 2016, and letter signed by David Leigh-Hunt dated 29 February 2016.
4. Mr Hunter does not hold, receive or have access to client money, or act as a signatory to any client or office account, or have the power to authorise electronic transfers from any client or office account.
5. Mr Hunter is not to hold himself out as a solicitor. Mr Hunter’s status as a non-solicitor must be made clear to clients.
6. Mr Hunter’s name does not appear on the firm’s headed notepaper, publicity material, website or external nameplates.
7. Mr Hunter shall not have any responsibility for or be involved in the training or supervision any other employee at Moore & Tibbits Limited.
8. The SRA is immediately informed of any proposed variation in Mr Hunter’s duties or his supervision arrangements, prior to any such variation.
9. This approval and the conditions attached to it are subject to review at the absolute discretion of the SRA.

Reasons/basis

The SRA is satisfied that the above employment will not put public confidence in the administration of justice and the provision of legal services or the interests of clients at risk.