Ciaran Whelan

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

Ciaran Whelan, a solicitor's clerk employed by Messrs Attridge Solicitors, acted for two clients (RB and SB) convicted of drugs offences. Despite favourable counsel's advice and settled grounds of appeal sent within the statutory time limit, Whelan never lodged the appeals, claiming he was awaiting the outcome of proceedings against police officers and that the clients consented to the delay. The clients denied giving such instructions; there were no written instructions or records. As a result, leave to appeal out of time had to be sought by new solicitors, and the clients spent about five months longer in custody. The Tribunal disbelieved Whelan's account, found he fell far short of the required standards, and made a section 43 order restricting his employment by solicitors. No express finding of dishonesty was made. He was ordered to pay costs of £5,000.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Honesty
• Personal probity and fitness to practise
• Manage conflict arising mid-matter