Solicitor used client funds to pay school fees

A SOLICITOR who paid his children's school fees with clients' money has been thrown out of the profession.

Colin Farrell, 56, also borrowed £450,000 from a vulnerable client and never paid him back. Inspectors found a £234,685 "black hole" in the client account when they raided the offices of his firm Farrell, Martin, Nee in Battersea.

"Money had been used to pay for school fees and the rent on the firm's office premises," said Margaret Bromley for the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

In addition to being struck off, Farrell will pay a share of the £17,000 costs of the case, to be assessed.