Disciplinary Record - Ross & Co Solicitors LLP

Decision - Closure

Outcome: Intervention

Outcome date: 23 October 2024

Published date: 23 October 2024

Firm details

No detail provided:

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

To intervene into Ross & Co Solicitors LLP (the firm) on the following grounds:

Reasons/basis

1. There is reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Mr Ross, as a manager of the firm, in connection with the firm’s business (paragraph 32(1)(d)(i) of Schedule 2 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985.
2. Mr Ross as a manager of the firm, and the firm itself, have failed to comply with the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs, the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms, the SRA Accounts Rules and the SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules which are rules applicable to them as a manager of the firm and the firm itself by virtue of section 9 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985 (as amended) (paragraph 32(1)(a) of Schedule 2 of that Act).

Intervening agents

Chris Evans of Lester Aldridge LLP, Russell House, Oxford Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8EX has been appointed as the intervening agent.

For enquiries please call 01202786341 or email Intervention.Enquiries@LA-Law.com

Decision - Fined

Outcome: Fine

Outcome date: 28 August 2024

Published date: 27 September 2024

Firm details

No detail provided:

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP was directed to pay a fixed financial penalty of £1,500 and costs of £150.

Reasons/basis

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP is a recognised body whose office is at Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0HA

Rule 11.1 of the SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules requires all firms to submit an annual return in the prescribed form, containing data about the firm’s practice, by the prescribed date. In 2023 the prescribed date was 31 October 2023.

Under paragraph 3.3(a) of the Code of Conduct for Firms, firms are required to respond promptly to the SRA and provide full and accurate information following a request or requirement.

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP failed to submit its annual return by 31 October 2023 in breach of paragraph 3.3(a) of the Code of Conduct for Firms.

The firm failed to remedy this breach after being given notice and reasonable time in which to do so.

The firm continued to breach this requirement after the SRA directed it to pay a fixed financial penalty of £750.

Decision - Fined

Outcome: Fine

Outcome date: 13 June 2024

Published date: 17 July 2024

Firm details

No detail provided:

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP was directed to pay a fixed financial penalty of £750 and costs of £150.

Reasons/basis

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP is a recognised body whose office is at Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0HA.

Rule 11.1 of the SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules requires all firms to submit an annual return in the prescribed form, containing data about the firm’s practice, by the prescribed date. In 2023 the prescribed date was 31 October 2023.

Under paragraph 3.3(a) of the Code of Conduct for Firms, firms are required to respond promptly to the SRA and provide full and accurate information following a request or requirement.

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP failed to submit its annual return by 31 October 2023 in breach of paragraph 3.3(a) of the Code of Conduct for Firms.

The firm failed to remedy this breach after being given notice and reasonable time in which to do so.

Decision - Fined

Outcome: Fine

Outcome date: 3 January 2024

Published date: 9 February 2024

Firm details

Firm or organisation at date of publication

Name: Ross & Co Solicitors LLP

Address(es): Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0HA

Firm ID: 563783

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP was directed to pay a fixed financial penalty of £1,500 and costs of £150.

Reasons/basis

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP is a recognised body whose office is at Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0HA.

Firms must at all times have in place a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) and a compliance officer for finance and administration (COFA).

A firm must designate a person as its COLP and a person as its COFA and the SRA must approve that person before they commence their role.

The COLP and COFA of a firm have specific responsibility for ensuring a firm, its managers and employees comply with the SRA’s regulatory requirements. They are also responsible for recording any breaches and reporting those to the SRA, where necessary.

A firm must promptly notify the SRA if it becomes aware of any material changes to information previously provided to the SRA, by it or on its behalf, including to its compliance officers.

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP failed to:

• promptly notify the SRA of a material change to the information it had previously provided to the SRA about its COLP
• promptly notify the SRA of a material change to the information it had previously provided to the SRA about its COFA

in breach of paragraph 3.8(a) of the Code of Conduct for Firms.

The firm continued to breach this requirement after the SRA directed it to pay a fixed financial penalty of £750.

Decision - Fined

Outcome: Fine

Outcome date: 16 November 2023

Published date: 9 February 2024

Firm details

Firm or organisation at date of publication

Name: Ross & Co Solicitors LLP

Address(es): Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0HA

Firm ID: 563783

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP was directed to pay a fixed financial penalty of £750 and costs of £150.

Reasons/basis

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP is a recognised body whose office is at Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0HA.

Firms must at all times have in place a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) and a compliance officer for finance and administration (COFA).

A firm must designate a person as its COLP and a person as its COFA and the SRA must approve that person before they commence their role.

The COLP and COFA of a firm have specific responsibility for ensuring a firm, its managers and employees comply with the SRA’s regulatory requirements. They are also responsible for recording any breaches and reporting those to the SRA, where necessary.

A firm must promptly notify the SRA if it becomes aware of any material changes to information previously provided to the SRA, by it or on its behalf, including to its compliance officers.

Ross & Co Solicitors LLP failed to:

• promptly notify the SRA of a material change to the information it had previously provided to the SRA about its COLP
• promptly notify the SRA of a material change to the information it had previously provided to the SRA about its COFA

in breach of paragraph 3.8(a) of the Code of Conduct for Firms.

The firm failed to remedy this breach after being given notice and reasonable time in which to do so.