Anthony Burns

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

Anthony Burns, a sole practitioner solicitor at Mawdsleys Solicitors, faced four allegations which the Tribunal found all proved on the unchallenged evidence (he did not attend and was unrepresented). He failed to comply with a Legal Ombudsman Final Decision of 13 October 2017 for over 5 years (paying £400 compensation only in August 2022 and releasing trust funds only in April 2023), requiring LeO to obtain a County Court order, with which he also failed to comply in a timely manner. He also caused/allowed inaccurate or misleading information to be given to the Firm's prospective insurers on two professional indemnity proposal forms, failing to disclose a 2008 money laundering conviction (fined £2,000) and multiple regulatory investigations. He further failed to comply with court orders of Master McQuail (including one with a penal notice). The Tribunal made no express finding of dishonesty; the SRA's case was advanced on lack of integrity and recklessness. The Tribunal ordered him struck off the Roll.

Duties found breached:

• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues
• No conflict between current clients
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Proper basis for allegations

Aggravating factors:

• Persistent and prolonged non-compliance over a period of 5 years and 6 months
• Previously sanctioned by the SRA on two occasions for failing to engage or comply with LeO
• Required LeO to obtain a county court order to enforce compliance
• Failure to comply with court orders, including one carrying a penal notice
• Conduct alleged to be reckless

Mitigating factors:

• Mr Burns cited challenging years for the profession
• National postal problems and delays in probate and Land Registry processes
• His longstanding cashier suffered a stroke
• Email and domain service problems in March 2023
• Eventually paid compensation and released funds