The first is a story of a former BLP commercial property partner, Vinay Veneik, who ‘forgot’ to pay stamp duty and Land Registry fees. On eight transactions for the same client. The Lawyer reports that in some cases the amounts went unpaid for almost four years after the deals in question closed. Between initial errors and subsequent arse-covering, the cock-ups went on for seven years.

We’re guessing that BLP use pro-forma completion statements and computerised reminder systems, so you have to wonder how he managed to acheive this with such frequency. You also have to wonder about this – rather than admitting his errors, Veneik used client monies intended for other purposes to pay the stamp duty and the late payment penalties. Uh-oh.

Every junior lawyer yet to make a mistake (be sure, it will happen) should take on board the net result – it was the cover-up where he came unstuck. Although the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal ruled that, “The respondent’s clients had neither lost money nor were they ever at risk of losing money. It was the profession as a whole that had had its reputation sullied.” he was struck off and landed a fine.

Imagine if he had instead he admitted a balls-up to the client on the first occasion (and perhaps blamed a more junior assistant – you know it happens). Very embarrasing. Therefore, unlikely to be repeated. Job in tact, reputation in tact (with a small dent), possibly even client in tact…

Too late.

Moving on to something more blatant. Essex solicitor, Mahmood Ali has also been struck off… For being involved in £7.8m worth of mortgage fraud.

The Gazette reports that his “whereabouts are unknown”. He had worked at Essex firm Montague Mason, which was shut down by the SRA for breaches of the solicitors accounts rules. That would be 32 fraudulent mortgage applications.

Although four other men have gone to jail for the fraud, Ali appears to have done a runner – he failed to turn up to a hearing at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal on 23 March and has not been traced.