Lewis
Wells
Employee
7001501
Decision - Employee-related decision
Outcome: Control of non-qualified staff (Section 43 / Section 99 order)
Outcome date: 15 May 2022
Published date: 29 June 2022
Firm details
Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Admiral Law
Address(es): 9th Floor, Brunel House, 2 Fitzalan Road, Cardiff, CF24 0EB
Firm ID: 596862
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
Disqualification under section 99 Legal Services Act.
Reasons/basis
Lewis Wells who is not a solicitor, was employed by Admiral Law Limited (the firm) whose head office is at 9th Floor, Brunel House, 2 Fitzalan Road, Cardiff, CF24 0EB between 4 September 2017 and 11 February 2019, when he was dismissed for gross misconduct.
It was found that:
- In January 2019, by misleading his client as to the nature of the discussions with the other party’s insurers, then by failing to follow his client’s instructions to negotiate an increased offer, Mr Wells breached Principles 2, 5 and 6 of the SRA Principles 2011 and failed to achieve Outcome 1.2 SRA Code of Conduct 2011.
- A finding of dishonesty was made against Mr Wells and he was made subject to a disqualification order under 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.
He was also directed to pay costs of £600.