One of Britain's most respected solicitors has been fined £2,500 after he become embroiled in a conflict of interest between clients.

Patrick Richards, 55, sits on the national council for the Law Society and even advises lawyers on regulatory matters.

The married father-of-four has also sat on the local body in East Sussex for the past 20 years and represents some 600 local solicitors.

However, the Hove-based lawyer received a financial penalty after he was brought before the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal in central London.

Richards was reported to the Law Society in June 2001 by a local firm after they were called in to act for a Mrs Vivien Mendola during divorce proceedings.

The tribunal heard that in 1997, Richards had acted for Mrs Mendola and her husband, Giovanni, in creating a declaration of trust document.

Mr Mendola had been discharged from bankruptcy but his wife was still liable to a £9,000 loan taken out on their previous home.

To limit her exposure to any possible demands, Richards drew up an agreement that meant her husband owned 90 per cent of their current property while Mrs Mendola held just ten per cent.

The hearing was told Richards broke strict legal rules by not telling Mrs Mendola to obtain advice from a different lawyer.

Roger Field, for the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors, said: "A solicitor owes a duty to each individual person and must advise each individual on their best interests."

No dishonesty was alleged.

The error occurred while Richards worked as a partner at Taylor Richards, based at Church Road, Hove. Since July last year he has been employed as a partner at Burnand Brazier and Tisdall in the same road.

Richards denied there was a conflict.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £2,952.52.

Wednesday June 11, 2003