Timothy Thomas Rogers

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

The Respondent, a solicitor, admitted misleading clients into believing proceedings had been issued and claims settled, and making payments to clients from his own funds purportedly in settlement, as well as allowing claims to become statute barred. He paid £28,950 to six clients over 2008-2013. He admitted the factual allegations but denied dishonesty. Applying the Twinsectra test, the Tribunal found his conduct dishonest by ordinary standards and that he must have realised it was dishonest, rejecting his claim that he set his own standard of honesty. Finding no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £4,019, not to be enforced without leave save for a possible charging order over his properties.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• No prejudicial publicity for pending cases
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest conduct took place over a long period of time
• Conduct was deliberate, calculated and repeated
• Respondent ought reasonably to have known conduct materially breached obligations to protect the public and the reputation of the profession
• Fabricated settlement offers and concealed the true position from clients

Mitigating factors:

• Previous good record over a long period
• Genuine remorse and insight
• Did not profit from his actions
• Candid and open about his errors
• Difficult personal circumstances and accumulating stress at the time
• Long past contribution to the profession