Andrew Milne (solicitor)

For other people by the same name, see Andrew Milne.

Andrew Jonathan Milne (born 1963) is an English solicitor. He is the principal of Andrew Milne & Co Solicitors in London. He has been involved in several controversies related to his property dealings and legal practices, culminating in a conviction for stalking in 2026 and subsequent restrictions on his practising certificate by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Career

Milne qualified as a solicitor in 1986.[1] He operated his own firm, Andrew Milne & Co Solicitors. However, since 2026, he is unable to operate (either at his own firm or independently) without the supervision of an solicitor appointed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).[2][3]

Property acquisitions

Milne acquired freeholds to hundreds of leasehold properties throughout the United Kingdom, often at low auction prices, and subsequently pressured leaseholders to purchase the freeholds at inflated prices through aggressive letters alleging lease breaches and threatening legal proceedings. In a county court hearing in North Wales, Judge Keyser KC said of Milne: "I do not consider him to be an honest or credible man. [...] For his own ends, he is willing to resort to intimidatory and threatening language, advancing allegations that he cannot possibly believe to be justified".[4][5]

In Sheffield, Milne purchased nearly 300 freeholds in 2025 for around £320 each and sent letters to leaseholders demanding £25,000 or more, including mock-ups of court proceedings, leading to distress among recipients and some paying the demanded sums.[4][6]

In North Wales, a county court ruled that Milne must sell a block of flats after failing to offer leaseholders the first right of refusal, with the judge describing his communications as "disgraceful and inexcusable" and referring him to the SRA.[4]

In Bolton, leaseholders described receiving bullying and threatening letters, with demands for £6,000 despite low purchase prices.[5][7]

Stalking conviction

On 10 February 2026, Milne was convicted under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 at Stratford Magistrates' Court of stalking without fear. The offence involved his harassment of legal blogger Daniel Cloake (aka mouseinthecourt) from March to August 2024.[8][9] Milne sent approximately 124 communications, including over 120 emails with aggressive threats, litigation warnings, two voicemails, a birthday gift book and appeared at Cloake's home as captured on camera.[9] Milne posted a letter through Cloake's letterbox saying him, saying "WHERE ARE YOU? LOL LOL LOL. ARE YOU SUDDENLY VERY SHY? I AM AMAZED THERE IS ACTUALLY A PROPERTY WHICH CAN BE SEIZED. AFTER YOU ARE BANKRUPT, IF YOU AGREE TO BE MY TOTAL SEX SLAVE I WILL LET YOU LIVE IN THE GARAGE".[10] The judge rejected Milne's defence that Cloake was gay or romantically in love with him, or both, and found the conduct to be oppressive and unreasonable.[10] Sentencing was scheduled for 10 March 2026 at Thames Magistrates' Court.[11]

Following the conviction, the SRA imposed conditions on Milne's practising certificate, requiring him to act only under the supervision of an SRA-approved solicitor to protect the public amid ongoing investigations.[2][7][12]

References

  1. ^ "'Stalking victim' wanted a legal career, solicitor tells district judge". Law Gazette. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Andrew Milne Solicitor 134839". Solicitors Regulation Authority. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Sheffield lawyer sanctioned by regulator over stalking conviction". BBC News. 20 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the 'very aggressive' letters arrived". The Sheffield Tribune. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  5. ^ a b "Meet the London lawyer terrorising the leaseholders of Bolton". The Manchester Mill. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Homeowners left 'scared' by 'aggressive' freeholder". BBC News. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  7. ^ a b "SRA puts conditions on practice of controversial solicitor Milne". Legal Futures. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Solicitor Found Guilty Of Stalking Legal Blogger". Law360. 10 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  9. ^ a b "Solicitor who bombarded legal blogger with emails, voicemails and birthday gift convicted of stalking". Legal Cheek. 16 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  10. ^ a b "'Creepy' solicitor convicted of stalking court observer". RollOnFriday. 13 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Solicitor Andrew Milne convicted of stalking faces SRA probe over alleged leasehold threats". Law Gazette. 16 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  12. ^ "SRA restricts solicitor's practising certificate after stalking conviction". Law Gazette. 20 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
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