John William Burrows

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

Respondent solicitor was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court of two offences of making a false instrument and five offences of procuring execution of valuable securities by deception, receiving a four year six month prison sentence. He forged a client's will and cashed firm cheques with an accomplice. The Tribunal found the allegation of conduct unbefitting a solicitor substantiated, expressly noting serious offences of dishonesty, and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £2,937.50.

Duties found breached:

• Cease acting on client perjury or disobedience

Aggravating factors:

• Serious offences of dishonesty committed in the course of working in a solicitors' practice
• Forged a client's will and substituted it for the genuine will held in the firm's safe, then submitted it for probate
• Cashed five firm cheques using an accomplice
• Victims chosen with care, described as vulnerable and trusting
• Seriously damaged public confidence in the profession
• Conduct at the highest end of misconduct