Disciplinary Record - Petena Parker-Carroll

Decision - Fined

Outcome: Fine

Outcome date: 17 January 2024

Published date: 19 January 2024

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Mustoe Shorter Solicitors & Advocates

Address(es): 7-8 Frederick Place, WEYMOUTH, DT4 8HQ, England

Firm ID: 302589

Firm or organisation at date of publication

Name: Just Houses Limited

Address(es): CoOperative Chambers, 4 Manor House Street, PUDSEY, LS28 7BJ, England

Firm ID: 569965

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Who does this disciplinary decision relate to?

Ms Parker is a solicitor and was employed by Mustoe Shorter Solicitors at the time of her conduct. She is currently employed by John Howe Solicitors / Just Houses Ltd

Short summary of decision

We have issued Ms Parker with a financial penalty for breaching Principle 2 (failing to act in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the profession and in the provision of legal services).

Facts of the misconduct

It was found that on 3 May 2023, at Weymouth Magistrates Court, Ms Parker was convicted of driving over the prescribed limit of alcohol. She breached Principle 2 and was reckless as to the harm she would or could cause to the trust and confidence the public places in the profession and in the provision of legal services.

Decision on sanction

It was decided that a financial penalty was an appropriate and proportionate sanction. The matter is serious. Ms Parker’s conduct was reckless. She caused damage to a fence. There is significant mitigation, including Ms Parker self-reporting the matter, her co-operation with the SRA, her admission of liability to the allegation of misconduct, and her guilty plea and the fulfilment of her sentence imposed by Weymouth Magistrates Court. Ms Parker was issued with a financial penalty of £4,370.11 and ordered to pay costs of £600. This was because Ms Parker’s conduct was serious by reference to the following factors in the SRA Enforcement Strategy:

• Any lesser sanction would not be appropriate.
• To send a signal to those we regulate more widely with the aim of preventing similar behaviour by others.
• Some public sanction is required to uphold public confidence in the delivery of legal services.

SRA Principles breached

SRA Principles 2019

Principle 2: You must act in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors’ profession and in legal services provided by authorised persons