Steven
Simpkins
Solicitor
289493
Decision - Prosecution
Outcome: Referral to Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
Outcome date: 28 February 2025
Published date: 3 July 2025
Firm details
Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Simpkins & Co Solicitors
Address(es): 59 High Street, Lyndhurst, Hampshire SO43 7BE
Firm ID: 621412
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 that, whilst in practice as a Solicitor at Simpkins & Co Solicitors, he:
- Caused or allowed the firm to have a minimum client account shortage in relation to client A.
- Caused or allowed the firm to have a minimum client account shortage in relation to client B.
- As the firm's sole manager, COLP and COFA, failed to have sufficient control and adequate supervision or oversight of the firm.
- Provided information to the Forensic Investigation Officer of the SRA regarding the financial status of the firm that he knew/ought to have known was inaccurate and/or misleading.
The allegations are subject to a Hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and are as yet unproven.
Decision - Control of practice
Outcome: Condition
Outcome date: 6 March 2024
Published date: 19 March 2024
Firm details
Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Simpkins & Co Solicitors
Address(es): 59 High Street, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7BE.
Firm ID: 621412
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
Decision - Control of practice
Outcome: Interim Conditions
Reasons/basis
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
Mr Steven Simpkins’ practising certificate for 2023/2024 is subject to the following conditions:
- Mr Simpkins is not a manager or owner of any authorised body, authorised non-SRA firm or legal services body.
- Mr Simpkins may not act as a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) or a compliance officer for finance and administration (COFA) for any authorised body.
- Mr Simpkins does not hold or receive client money, or act as a signatory to any client or office account or have the power to authorise transfers from any client or office account.
- Mr Simpkins does not provide legal services as a freelance solicitor offering reserved or unreserved services on his own account under Regulation 10.2(a) or (b) of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations.
In these conditions the terms are as defined in the SRA Glossary.
Reasons/basis
The above interim conditions are made under rule 3.2 of the SRA Regulatory and Disciplinary Procedure Rules, which states that at any stage an authorised decision maker may, pending a final decision by the SRA or the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, impose interim condition(s) on the practising certificate of a solicitor. We are satisfied that these conditions are necessary in the public interest or for the protection of the public.