Paul Winter-Morris

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

The respondent, a solicitor admitted in 1975 and partner at AH Brooks & Co, was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court on 12 March 2003 on three indictments of assisting another to retain or control the benefit of criminal conduct (money laundering of some £8 million while acting for a client), and sentenced to five years' imprisonment on each count concurrently. The Tribunal found him guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor, struck him off the Roll, and ordered him to pay fixed costs of £887.86. The respondent did not appear. No express finding of dishonesty was made by the Tribunal (though the sentencing judge noted he acted knowing the money represented proceeds of crime).

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Criminal activity took place during the course of his practice as a solicitor
• Very large sum involved (£8 million)
• Sentenced to five years' imprisonment
• His position as solicitor was central to the role he played, bringing disrepute on the whole profession