Claire Frances Gill

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

The SRA alleged that the Respondent, a defamation partner at Carter-Ruck acting for OneCoin/Dr Ruja Ignatova, sent a 26 April 2017 letter before action to whistleblower Jennifer McAdam containing an improper threat of litigation, breaching Principles 2 and 6 of the SRA Principles 2011 and Outcome 11.1, allegedly to convey a false PR message that OneCoin was ready and willing to prove the allegations untrue. The Respondent applied for summary dismissal. The Tribunal assessed conduct by reference to what was known in April 2017 (not hindsight), found the letter moderate in tone and consistent with standard letters before action, found the Respondent acted on client instructions with measured and conscientious advice, and held that suspicion did not equate to knowledge. It found the 'false PR message' theory speculative and legally unsustainable, with no triable issues of fact. The Tribunal also noted inordinate delay (investigation from May 2020, closure recommended July 2023 but overridden). The application for summary dismissal was granted and the proceedings dismissed. The decision is subject to appeal to the High Court. Costs were reserved to a hearing on 13 January 2026.