Edward
Taylor
Employee
7159288
Decision - Employee-related decision
Outcome: Approval of employment (section 43)
Outcome date: 3 April 2025
Published date: 9 May 2025
Firm details
Firm or organisation at date of publication
Name: Tozers LLP
Address(es): Broadwalk House, Southernhay West, EXETER, EX1 1UA
Firm ID: 465564
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
Tozers LLP has been granted permission under section 43 of the solicitors Act 1974 to employ Edward Taylor as an IT Help Desk Supervisor subject to the following conditions:
- Mr Taylor will be directly supervised by Jonathan Splatt (SRA number 693986) and Nick Ramm. Paul Kelly (SRA number 154544) and Barry Hayes (SRA number 129277) who are solicitor's and members at Tozers LLP, will have overall responsibility and oversight of Mr Taylor's supervision.
- This approval is given based on the job description and supervision arrangements outlined in Tozers LLP's application dated 12 February 2025.
- Mr Taylor will have monthly check-ins with Tozers LLP's HR team.
- Mr Taylor does not have direct contact with clients.
- The SRA is immediately informed by one of the named solicitor supervisors, Mr Hayes or Mr Kelly of any proposed variation in Mr Taylor's duties or his supervision arrangements. Any variation must not take place until permission is granted by the SRA.
- This approval will end on the expiry of Mr Taylor's employment with Tozers LLP, with any intended return to Tozers LLP or any other firm requiring a new application for approval.
- This approval and the conditions attached to it are subject to review at the absolute discretion of the SRA.
Reasons/basis
Edward Taylor was made subject to an order under section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974 on 30 January 2025. In accordance with section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974, any solicitor wishing to employ or remunerate him in connection with their practise as a solicitor must obtain our approval.
The SRA is satisfied that the above employment will not put public confidence in the administration of justice and the provision of legal services or the interests of clients at risk.
Decision - Employee-related decision
Outcome: Control of non-qualified staff (Section 43 / Section 99 order)
Outcome date: 30 January 2025
Published date: 12 March 2025
Firm details
Firm or organisation at date of publication and at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Tozers LLP
Address(es): Broadwalk House, Southernhay West, Exeter, EX1 1UA
Firm ID: 465564
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
Who does this decision relate to?
Edward Taylor whose last known address was in Exmouth, Devon. A person who is or was involved in a legal practice but is not a solicitor.
Summary of decision
The SRA has put restrictions on where and how Mr Taylor can work in an SRA regulated firm. Mr Taylor is employed as an IT Helpdesk Supervisor. It was found that Mr Taylor who is not a solicitor, is or was involved in a legal practice and has been convicted of a violent offence against a vulnerable person which is such that it is undesirable for him to be involved in a legal practice in any of the ways described in the order below.
The facts of the case
Mr Taylor was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on 21 September 2023 following violence against the victim, his former partner on 22 August 2022. His offending crossed the custody threshold and he was sentenced to a period of 12 months' imprisonment suspended for 24 months. The court also imposed a 3-year restraining order, rehabilitation activity, alcohol abstinence and monitoring and programme requirements to be completed in the community under the supervision of the probation service.
Decision on outcome
An order pursuant to section 43(2) of the Solicitors Act 1974 was imposed as Mr Taylor's conduct meant that it was undesirable for him to be involved in a legal practice without the SRA's prior approval. The order pursuant to section 43 was made with effect from the expiry of the 28-day review period, or, if Mr Taylor requests a review, following the determination of this.
Mr Taylor's conduct was serious. He has been convicted of a violent offence. His assault on his former partner took place in a domestic context and resulted in physical injury, emotional and psychological harm. As such the victim is properly regarded as vulnerable. Mr Taylor was also ordered to pay a proportion of the SRA's costs of £600.
What our Section 43 order means
- no solicitor shall employ or remunerate him in connection with his/her practice as a solicitor;
- no employee of a solicitor shall employ or remunerate him in connection with the solicitor's practice;
- no recognised body shall employ or remunerate him;
- no manager or employee of a recognised body shall employ or remunerate him in connection with the business of that body;
- no recognised body or manager or employee of such a body shall permit him to be a manager of the body; and
- no recognised body or manager or employee of such a body shall permit him to have an interest in the body except in accordance with the SRA's prior written permission.