The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) clears two solicitors of misconduct charges related to volume financial mis-selling claims.
- The allegations involved misleading statements and inadequate client due diligence in 2018.
- Craig Cooper and Erich Kurtz faced accusations around payday loan mis-selling claims management.
- The SDT ordered the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to pay £30,000 in costs to the solicitors.
- The decision emphasises the importance of thorough vetting of accusations against legal professionals.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has exonerated two solicitors from allegations of misconduct concerning their practices in managing high-volume financial mis-selling claims. The accusations centred on Craig Cooper, the managing director of Barings Law, and Erich Kurtz, then a director at Barings Law, now with Hugh James. It was claimed they misled clients on mis-sold personal loans by payday lenders and failed in their client due diligence and consent processes.
The tribunal dismissed these allegations, stating they lacked substance. This resolution came midway through a scheduled seven-day hearing, with detailed reasons for the tribunal’s decision pending publication. Cooper responded to the verdict by describing the claims as baseless and a waste of resources, highlighting the tribunal’s order for the SRA to cover £30,000 in costs as reflective of the unfounded nature of the accusations.
Further allegations against Mr Cooper involved the receipt of £230,500 into the firm’s account without adequate due diligence on clients. Despite these serious accusations, the tribunal’s decision underscores the need for supportive evidence before such claims proceed to a tribunal.
Cooper articulated his belief that more resources should be used in evaluating accusations against legal practitioners to prevent unwarranted cases from advancing. He also reiterated Barings Law’s commitment to managing high-volume claims efficiently and maintaining open communication with the SRA on new practices.
The SRA’s stance remains reserved until the full ruling is available. Meanwhile, references were made to a previous High Court case involving Barings Law that challenged the lending practices of Elevate Credit International, noted for breaching consumer credit assessment protocols.
The tribunal’s decision to clear the solicitors highlights the need for thorough and fair assessment of misconduct allegations in the legal sector.
