Christopher
Farnell
Solicitor
23623
Decision - Control of practice
Outcome: Condition
Outcome date: 29 May 2026
Published date: 22 July 2026
Firm details
Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: IPS Law LLP
Address(es): 5 Ridgefield, Manchester, M2 6EG
Firm ID: 442925
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
Christopher Farnell's practising certificate for 2025/2026 is subject to the following conditions:
- Christopher Farnell may not act as a manager or owner of any authorised body or authorised non-SRA firm.
- Christopher Farnell may act as a solicitor only as an employee and only where that employment has first been approved by us.
- Christopher Farnell does not hold or receive client money, or act as a signatory to any client or office account or have the power to authorise transfers from any client or office account
- Christopher Farnell may not act as a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) or compliance officer for finance and administration (COFA) for any authorised body.
- Christopher Farnell may not practise on his own account under regulation 10.2(a) or (b) or the SRA Authorisation of Individual Regulation.
In these conditions the terms are as defined in the SRA Glossary
Reasons/basis
The above conditions are necessary in the public interest. They are reasonable and proportionate having regard to the purposes set out in regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations, and the regulatory objectives and principles governing regulatory activities as contained in section 28 of the Legal Services Act 2007.
Decision - Closure
Outcome: Intervention
Outcome date: 11 November 2025
Published date: 12 November 2025
Firm details
Firm or organisation at date of publication and at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: IPS Law LLP
Address(es): David House,10-12 Cecil Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA15 9PA
Firm ID: 442925
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
To intervene into the practice of Christopher Farnell at IPS Law LLP.
Reasons/basis
- There is reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Mr Farnell in connection with his practice as a solicitor (paragraph 1(1)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 – Part I to the Solicitors Act 1974).
- Mr Farnell has failed to comply with the SRA Principles 2019, the SRA Accounts Rules 2019, the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs and the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms 2019 which are rules made under sections 31 and 32 of the Solicitors Act 1974 (paragraph 1(1)(c) of Schedule 1 to the Act).
Intervening agents
Carl Johnson of Stephensons Solicitors LLP, Wigan Investment Centre, Waterside Drive, Wigan, WN3 5BA has been appointed as the intervening agent.
For enquiries please call 0333 321 4405 or email interventions@stephensons.co.uk