Robert Andrew Schofield

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

The Respondent, a former partner of Firth Whitehead Solicitors, gave three solicitor's undertakings (30 January, 27 February and 13 April 2004) to Meridian Bank/Newhaven Overseas Limited to repay bridging finance (£100,000 and £200,000 plus monthly interest). No payments were made. NOL obtained a High Court judgment requiring him to pay £698,214.02. The Tribunal, applying the criminal standard, found all three allegations proved: he failed to honour the undertakings and thereby acted in a way likely to compromise his integrity and the good repute of the profession contrary to Rules 1(a) and 1(d) SPR 1990. No express finding of dishonesty was made. The Respondent was struck off the Roll (sanction set out in linked Case No. 11292-2014) and ordered to pay costs of £13,562.88. No mitigation was offered.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Honour professional undertakings

Aggravating factors:

• Gave undertakings effectively guaranteeing borrowings of an individual who was not his client
• Previous appearance before the Tribunal (case 10801-2011) for failing to comply with an undertaking, fined £6,000, though those facts post-dated the present events