Geoffrey Rushton

Decision - Prosecution

Outcome: Referral to Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal

Outcome date: 2 February 2021

Published date: 15 July 2021

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Rushton Legal Services Limited

Address(es): 2 Birchtree Drive, Cheddleton, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 7FE

Firm ID: 626753

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Reasons/basis

This notification relates to a Decision to prosecute before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.  This is an independent Tribunal which will reach its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the Solicitor.  The Tribunal has certified that there is a case to answer in respect of allegations, which are or include:- 

Misuse of client money that was not properly kept in client account and transferred from client account in breach of the SRA Accounts Rules and that you improperly benefitted from holding the money. 

Raising a misleading bill and sending misleading letters to a client. 

Failing to ensure that a power of attorney for a client was properly executed. 

Failing to co-operate with your regulator, the SRA. 

The allegations are subject to a Hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and are yet unproven.