G Okri & Another

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

Two solicitors faced allegations arising from a 2004 conveyance in which an elderly widow's Bournemouth property was sold (at a price suddenly halved from £300,000 to £150,000) to a purchaser connected to 'Big Fish' (Dr Neville James), facilitating a fraud. The First Respondent (Godwin Okri), the senior solicitor and supervising partner, admitted some allegations and denied dishonesty; the Second Respondent admitted all allegations except dishonesty and pleaded duress based on threats to kill. The Tribunal found all allegations proved including express dishonesty against BOTH Respondents under the Twinsectra test, and rejected the duress defence (Applicant proved actions were voluntary). The First Respondent was struck off; the Second Respondent, found less culpable, was suspended for 2 years. Costs were ordered to be assessed (schedule submitted at £40,980), apportioned 2/3 to the First Respondent and 1/3 to the Second, with an interim costs order of £7,000 (First) and £3,000 (Second).

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Honesty
• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest conduct enabled a fraud to be perpetrated on an elderly vulnerable client (Mrs B) and her daughter, losing the property at an undervalue
• First Respondent gave contradictory and not credible oral evidence
• First Respondent was the more senior solicitor with supervisory responsibility and thus more culpable
• Numerous obvious warning signs (halved purchase price, instructions from 'Big Fish', no contact with client) ignored
• Failure to take proper instructions from or meet an elderly vulnerable client

Mitigating factors:

• Second Respondent only 19 months qualified and junior/inexperienced
• Second Respondent acted under threats of violence from 'Big Fish' (though duress defence rejected)
• Good character references for Second Respondent
• Neither Respondent received any personal financial gain from the transaction
• Second Respondent suffered severe depression with suicidal/psychotic symptoms
• Second Respondent ceased acting for Big Fish and later informed police
• Both expressed apology and remorse