Heather Joan
Roberts
Solicitor
393573
Decision - Employee-related decision
Outcome: Approval of employment (section 41)
Outcome date: 21 November 2025
Published date: 21 November 2025
Firm details
Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Irwin Mitchell LLP
Address(es): Riverside East, 2 Millsands, Sheffield, S3 8DT
Firm ID: 570654
Firm or organisation at date of publication
Name: McCarthy Bennett Holland Solicitors LLP
Address(es): Wigan Investment Centre, Waterside Drive, Wigan, WN3 5BA
Firm ID: 810716
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
McCarthy Bennett Holland Solicitors LLP has been granted permission under Section 41 of the solicitors Act 1974 to employ Heather Roberts as a Paralegal subject to the following conditions:
- Mrs Roberts' work will be supervised by Gillian Lavelle (SRA number 581792) and in her absence by Caroline Rooks (SRA number 278026).
- Mrs Roberts' employment, duties and supervision are limited to that as outlined by the Firm in their initial application dated 21 May 2025, together with the job description and supervision arrangements detailed in documents attached to the application.
- Mrs Roberts is not responsible for the supervision of others providing any legal services.
- Mrs Roberts will not be a signatory of any client or office account.
- Mrs Roberts will not have responsibility of receiving or holding client money.
- Mrs Roberts will not have direct contact with clients.
- The SRA is immediately informed of any proposed variation in Mrs Roberts' duties or her supervision arrangements. Any variation must not take place until permission is granted by the SRA.
- This approval will lapse if Mrs Roberts leaves the Firm or her employment with the Firm is terminated. Any intended return to the Firm would require a new application.
Reasons/basis
Mrs Roberts was suspended from practice as a solicitor for a period of 12 months, which commenced on 30 April 2025. In accordance with section 41 of the Solicitors Act 1974, any solicitor wishing to employ or remunerate her 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 - Prosecution
Outcome: Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal order
Outcome date: 30 April 2025
Published date: 11 June 2025
Firm details
Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Irwin Mitchell LLP
Address(es): Riverside East, 2 Millsands, Sheffield S3 8DT
Firm ID: 570654
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Reasons/basis
Outcome of SDT Hearing
This notification relates to a Decision to prosecute before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. This is an independent Tribunal which reaches its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the Respondent. The Tribunal had certified that there was a case to answer.
The matter was heard on 29 – 30 April 2025.
Ms Roberts was suspended for a period of 12 months.
The SDT judgment is available at www.solicitorstribunal.org.uk