Guy Welby Richardson

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

The Respondent, a consultant solicitor, was found guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor. He fabricated a letter and forged signatures, filed a misleading witness statement to distance himself from a matter, improperly transferred client and office funds (totalling over £6,500) to his own company Ibicus Ltd, and repeatedly lied to clients, other solicitors and the Law Society investigator. He discontinued a client's claim without instructions. The Tribunal made an express finding of dishonesty applying the Twinsectra test, struck him off the Roll and ordered him to pay costs of £11,796.23. The Respondent did not appear and was already an undischarged bankrupt with a suspended practising certificate.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No improper use of client money
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Fabricated/forged documents including a letter and client signatures
• Took client and office money to which he was not entitled (transfers to his own company Ibicus Ltd)
• Lied to clients, other solicitors, a partner in his firm and the Law Society investigator
• Filed a Notice of Discontinuance without client instructions, incurring costs against client
• Took steps to disguise his wrongdoing