Decision record
Desmond James Corlis
Allegation / charges
Breaches, Failures
Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision
Desmond James Corlis, a solicitor and former partner of CFB Partnership, failed to comply with three Adjudicator decisions (compensation and costs for inadequate professional service in conveyancing matters) and failed to respond to LCS/SRA correspondence, breaching Rules 1.06 and 20.05 of the Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007. He did not attend the hearing. The Tribunal found all allegations proved to the criminal standard. Given it was his third disciplinary appearance and a pattern of non-compliance, but noting the role of his former partner, the Tribunal suspended him indefinitely (declining to strike him off) and ordered costs of £7,696.06, not to be enforced without leave. No dishonesty was alleged or found.
Duties found breached:
Aggravating factors:
- Third appearance before the Tribunal for disciplinary matters
- Previous failure to comply with professional obligations, indicating a pattern of behaviour
- Complete failure to engage with the regulatory process
Mitigating factors:
- Role played by former partner Mr LF
- Respondent's stated ill health and means
- Not involved in the criminal matters affecting his former partner