Adrian Clive Harling

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

The Respondent, a partner and Managing Partner at Painters Solicitors, made repeated untrue and misleading statements to a client (Mr B) over a 15-month period concerning a boundary dispute, falsely indicating that litigation was being progressed and court dates arranged when no proceedings had been issued. He admitted the allegation including dishonesty. The Tribunal applied the Twinsectra test and found dishonesty proved. Despite mitigation (unblemished record, insight, work pressure, no personal gain), the Tribunal found this was a serious case at the gravest end with no exceptional circumstances under Sharma, and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £2,973.50.

Duties found breached:

• Act in the client's best interests
• Integrity
• No conflict between current clients
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank

Aggravating factors:

• Sustained and developing deception over a long period (15 months)
• Numerous dishonest statements made on multiple occasions
• Deliberate conduct
• Caused harm to the client and could have prejudiced the client's case
• Invented telephone calls to/from the court that never took place; emails became more elaborate over time
• Solicitor of seniority and standing

Mitigating factors:

• Previously long unblemished record (28 years)
• Insight and candour, acknowledged conduct
• Positive character reference and support of partners
• Working under significant pressure with heavy caseload and management responsibilities as Managing Partner
• Misplaced desire to protect client; no personal gain
• Apologised and offered to rectify matters; firm paid £1,000 to client for poor service