DEBT CLEARED

A solicitor who allowed a former client to pay off her debt has been fined £25,000 by the SDT and ordered to pay £9,000 in costs. Sabrina Maini was 12 years' qualified at the time. She gave her bank details to a Mr X, who transferred £25,000 into her account and paid £50,000 to her credit card company. The tribunal said Maini, whom Mr X said he regarded as his 'surrogate daughter' and who wanted to change his will in her favour, 'should have known better' and only returned the money when she was found out. However, the tribunal noted she did not deceive her client and that the money had been made good.