(unnamed respondent)

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

This was the Applicant's 2026 application under s.47(2)(f) Solicitors Act 1974 to be restored to the Roll after being struck off on 18 June 2019 for dishonestly providing misleading information to the SRA (Allegation 9; allegations 1-8 having been dismissed). The Applicant relied on undiagnosed mental illness (severe depression) at the relevant time and his subsequent recovery, rehabilitation, unregulated legal work, charitable activity and testimonials. The Tribunal accepted the medical evidence of his recovery and present fitness but held it could not qualify the 2019 dishonesty findings and that none of the matters, individually or cumulatively, met the very high threshold of exceptional circumstances required where dishonesty is proved. Applying Bolton and Kaberry, the Tribunal found restoration would undermine public confidence and refused the application, ordering the Applicant to pay costs of £8,434.00.

Duties found breached:

• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty was serious, sustained and knowing
• Multiple flatly contradictory accounts given to the regulator varying according to perceived self-interest
• Dishonesty directed towards the regulator itself

Mitigating factors:

• Acceptance of the findings and payment of costs
• Genuine remorse and efforts at rehabilitation
• Significant improvement in mental health (recovery from severe depression)
• No further misconduct since strike-off
• Positive testimonials, charitable/voluntary work and continuing professional development