Trevor Austin Trent Hobden

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

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found Trevor Austin Trent Hobden, a solicitor, had breached the Solicitors Accounts Rules and Practice Rules by transferring client money to office account in payment of bills that were never delivered to paying parties, by culpable overcharging across numerous probate matters, and by failing to provide proper costs information. The Tribunal found, applying the Twinsectra test, that he was dishonest in drawing round-sum bills neither knowing nor caring whether they reflected work done or were reasonable, and taking client/trust money without authority. Allegations (a), (b), (c) and (e) were substantiated; allegation (d) was not. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay £14,250 costs (excluding VAT). The strike-off was deferred until 8 December 2009 to allow orderly closure of his conveyancing practice.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead the court
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty - drew bills in round sums neither knowing nor caring whether amounts properly related to work done
• Substantial overcharging across multiple probate matters (e.g. £9,970 in K Deceased, £4,000 in Kn Deceased, £3,600 in B Deceased)
• Charged £1,000 plus VAT a few days after death on Christmas Day when virtually no work done
• Repeated billing on dormant files where no work was done
• No client care letters sent and failure to rectify the omission
• Tribunal found him evasive and an unreliable witness
• Took controlled trust money from E Deceased estate in breach of Rule 22(2), reducing client ledger to nil despite a life interest
• Failed to adhere to agreement with executor Mr H that no more fees were payable

Mitigating factors:

• Matters were several years old and Respondent lacked access to files when interviewed
• Respondent had inherited the files from a retired partner (Mr G)
• Subsequent successful sole practice, highly regarded by clients (thank you cards produced)
• Recent accountants' report and SRA monitoring raised only minor issues since rectified
• Held practising certificate free of conditions; no prior restrictions
• Family circumstances and reliance on practice for income