Ashurst lawyer faces SRA prosecution over alleged false bike insurance claim

The SRA has decided to prosecute Ashurst associate Kieran Ferguson before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal over allegations he made misleading statements in an insurance claim for a stolen bicycle.

The regulator says banking lawyer Ferguson sought compensation for a stolen bike under a policy that did not provide cover at the time, and that he made untrue or misleading statements to the insurer.

The matter is pending. The SRA made the decision in July and has referred the case to the SDT with the matter subject to a hearing.

Honesty matters

Dishonesty strikes at the core of the SRA Principles and is regarded as a serious regulatory breach. Even where the alleged misconduct concerns a personal matter, rather than client work, the regulator has consistently treated misleading conduct as incompatible with the professional standards expected of solicitors.

For Ashurst and other City firms, the case underscores the reputational risk that can arise from conduct outside of the office, reinforcing the expectation that all regulated individuals uphold integrity in all aspects of their professional and personal lives.

Recent precedent

The case lands shortly after the SDT struck off a former Slaughter and May junior solicitor who lied about his academic record during a pupillage application. While that misconduct had a closer link to professional advancement than a personal insurance dispute, both matters centre on dishonest statements made outside client-facing work.

What happens next

The SDT will schedule a hearing to examine the allegations. Sanctions for proven dishonesty range from fines to suspension, with strike-off available where serious dishonesty is found.