The SRA landing on Just - how it looked.
A solicitor has been struck off for serious misconduct after wrongdoing which included telling a barrister he would be struck down by God.
The Old Testament approach to legal correspondence came to light in a recent tribunal decision against Alvin Just, partner at North London firm Just & Brown.
Just was found to have sent "inappropriate and unprofessional" emails to barrister Philip Noble and to Noble's client.
"I know the plagues will fall on you just like Pharaoh", wrote Just.
Warming to his theme, Just promised the barrister and his client, "your judgment is coming soon beware, and it will not be an easy one, the Most High knows that. Just remember that whosoever diggeth a pit shall fall in it. You and Mr Noble will fall in your own pit sooner than you think".
Unfortunately Just's fulmination was the least of his problems. The tribunal found that he had misled the SRA and deliberately withheld information during an investigation into him, and that "the only appropriate and proportionate sanction, given the seriousness of Mr Just's conduct, was to strike him off the Roll of Solicitors".
One of Just's most unholy errors was to use a single bank account for personal and client matters.
The tribunal heard how, in addition to work-related transactions, there were also entries for "what appeared to relate to Mr Just’s general living expenses, including mortgage payments, VAT repayments, payments in Jamaica" and "payment for dental treatment".
Despite Just's denials, it became rather obvious what he had been up to when a sample of his firm's 'client account' was presented to the tribunal:
When Just was accused of misleading the SRA over his accounts, he agreed, saying, "I was not trying to help the SRA agent for his shortcomings. He needed to ask specific questions. If he did not ask specific questions then I will send him on a fishing expedition”.
The tribunal said it was "an extraordinary response" which "typified the contempt and disregard Mr Just had for the SRA when it was investigating complaints made".
Just kept some fire and brimstone for the regulator, assuring the tribunal that "there is a God in Heaven who sees and knows all, and he will judge the SRA whether they believe it or not”.
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Comments
97
47
Shocking lack of cultural sensitivity from the SRA here.
104
38
See, now this is what really happens when you 'bring your whole self' to work.
59
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When keeping it real goes wrong
43
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Has Dane Stanley turned to religion?
64
34
"The tribunal said it was "an extraordinary response" which "typified the contempt and disregard Mr Just had for the SRA when it was investigating complaints made"."
Are we not entitled to have contempt for the SRA?
75
36
"Are we not entitled to have contempt for the SRA?"
No.
God alone judges them.
49
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Im dying rofl
46
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Alvin mate: i swear I passed their office and they were all in there with hoods, chanting as one them cut the neck of a chicken over a dish, and the sign behind said…Satan Revival Association
they usually cover it up I reckon
just sayin’
52
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Only a true man of God spends that much at mothercare in 2023. Fare thee will, sir!
61
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I note from the judgment that he also accused everyone involved in catching him of racism. Does no favours to those who are genuinely discriminated against.
45
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OK, so the SRA got Alvin, but what about the other chipmunks?
53
31
All that money spent on Perfect Smile DNTL, and nothing to smile about.
39
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Probably the Bar Council
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'I am a black woman in a white court' (Claudia Webbe MP)
Of course the Left and the diversicrats have been pushing this idea all the time that racism is everywhere and never ends. That we have bad faith actors playing this card, like this now ex-solicitor - quelle surprise.