The SRA said it had intervened into the practice of Dianna Lee (also known as Dianna Gerald), who worked at Simply Solicitors in Cheltenham and Worcester, after she wrongfully claimed £37,000 in income tax repayments.

According to a statement on the regulator’s website, the adjudication panel was satisfied that there was reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Ms Lee in connection with her practice and it was necessary to intervene to protect the interests of her and the firm’s clients.

Suspected dishonesty

The SRA said in a separate decision that it had intervened into Family Law Consultants Limited, trading as Simply Solicitors, as the panel was satisfied that there was reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of the manager of the firm, and that the manager had failed to comply with one or more of the SRA principles and/or accounts rules.

Ms Lee is expected to be sentenced next month.