Jonathan Anthony Levene

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

Jonathan Anthony Levene, a former sole practitioner, was found guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor on all eleven allegations relating to his handling of the R family litigation, including dishonestly misappropriating client money, issuing false bills, overcharging, failing to disclose receipt of £40,000 settlement monies, and failing to account properly to the Legal Aid Board. The Tribunal expressly concluded he had been guilty of serious dishonesty and had brought the profession into disrepute, showing no remorse. As his name had already been removed from the Roll by default in 1997, the Tribunal ordered that it not be restored except by Tribunal order, noting it would otherwise have struck him off. He was ordered to pay costs of £5,054.65 but not the additional costs of the rehearing (sought due to a flaw in the earlier Tribunal's constitution).

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Keep client informed and respond promptly
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Serious dishonesty
• Brought the solicitors' profession into disrepute
• Showed no remorse
• Continued to deny any responsibility and accused his former client, the Applicant and the Tribunal Chairman of lying
• Previous disciplinary finding in 1986 (improper invitation of instructions via Countdown plc, fined £500)