Aaron
Playle
Non-lawyer manager
632990
Decision - Employee-related decision
Outcome: Control of non-qualified staff (Section 43 / Section 99 order)
Outcome date: 8 February 2022
Published date: 10 February 2022
Firm details
Firm or organisation at date of publication and at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: FMC Law Limited
Address(es): Kings Court London Road Stevenage SG1 2NG England
Firm ID: 632987
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
To disqualify Mr Playle from holding any of the following positions in a licensed body pursuant to section 99 of the Legal Services Act 2007. This order shall become effective from the date of the email or letter notifying Mr Playle of this decision:
- Head of Legal Practice (HOLP).
- Head of Finance and Administration (HOFA).
- A manager.
- An employee.
To publish the above disqualification.
Reasons/basis
Between 13 September 2007 and 14 February 2019, Aaron Playle was a director of FindMyClaims (also known as FMC Law Limited), whose head is at Kings Court, London Road, Stevenage SG1 2NG. FMCL is authorised by the SRA as a licensed body. Mr Playle is also an owner of the firm.
It was found that Mr Playle breached Principles 2 and 6 of the SRA Principles 2011.
These breaches relate to a civil claim that was brought against Mr Playle by FindMyClaims on 18 and 19 November 2019 where the court found that Mr Playle had:
- Made unauthorised withdrawals from FindMyClaims totalling £120,000 between 16 March and 28 March 2018.
- Caused two contractors to overcharge FindMyClaims by £91,576.15 (including VAT)
- Received secret commissions totalling £203,387.24 (including VAT)
SRA Principle 2: act with integrity
SRA Principle 6: behave in a way that maintains the public’s trust in you and the profession.
Mr Playle was made subject to a disqualification order pursuant to section 99 of the Legal Services Act 2007. This order prevents him from holding any of the following roles in a licensed body:
- Head of Legal Practice.
- Head of Finance and Administration.
- A manager.
- An employee.
Mr Playle was also ordered to pay the SRA’s costs of £600 in investigating this matter.