William Noel Arthur Horner

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

Sole practitioner solicitor admitted in 1969, struck off after the Tribunal found all six allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor substantiated. The Law Society intervened in his practice in January 1995. He failed to produce his Books of Account, failed to comply with multiple professional undertakings, failed to account for substantial client funds, failed to comply with a Deposit Interest Certificate, removed all files/papers from his office and refused to hand them over despite repeated High Court orders, and failed to co-operate following intervention. He admitted certain allegations and apologised, attributing the situation to having lent client money to corporate clients now in receivership. He maintained he had not been dishonest, and the Tribunal made no express finding of dishonesty. Claims on the Compensation Fund totalled £3,381,190.33. He was struck off and ordered to pay costs to be taxed.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Honour professional undertakings

Mitigating factors:

• Expressed regret and apologised to clients and the Law Society
• Asserted he had not set out to be dishonest
• His health, practice, reputation and family had suffered
• Unemployed and drawing Income Support; could not afford to attend the hearing
• Admitted several allegations