Charles Edward Robert Christian Rhodes

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

The Respondent, a solicitor and executor, was found to have misappropriated £266,875 from the Estate of Mr BD over nine years, created 17 fake bills and a fictitious client ledger to conceal this from a solicitor and the SRA, withdrew £69,311.45 without bills, and overcharged three further estates. The Tribunal made express findings of dishonesty on allegations 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 under the Twinsectra test. Given the seriousness and absence of exceptional circumstances, the Respondent was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £32,763.50.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No taking unfair advantage
• No improper benefit, loan or bequest
• No improper use of client money
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty
• Misconduct spanned approximately 12 years and was not isolated
• Deliberate concealment through creation of fake bills and a fictitious ledger
• Breach of position of trust as solicitor and executor; one beneficiary was a minor
• Very experienced solicitor operating at partner level
• Significant harm; vast sums involved with several estates not repaid

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters
• Repaid the estate of BD in full and attempting to repay others
• Genuine remorse and insight
• Attended hearing and took responsibility
• Difficult personal and health circumstances at the material time