John David Anderson

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

John David Anderson, a solicitor admitted in 1975, failed to provide information requested by the Official Receiver following a bankruptcy order against his client and failed to respond promptly to Law Society/SRA correspondence. The Tribunal found both allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor substantiated. No dishonesty was alleged or found. Given the Respondent's stated inability to cope with the stresses of practice due to health issues, the Tribunal imposed an indefinite suspension - not as severe punishment but reflecting his own admission he could not cope - and ordered costs subject to detailed assessment unless agreed.

Duties found breached:

• Handle inadvertently received material
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Mitigating factors:

• Health issues and inability to cope with stress during last period of practice
• Prolonged retirement negotiations and mistaken belief he had already retired
• Client claim and firm liabilities contributing to mental breakdown
• Long career (40 years), served as president of local law society, always put clients' interests first
• Eventually provided the requested information to the Insolvency Service
• No intention to bring the profession into disrepute