Lindsey Bidgeway

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

The Respondent, a receptionist/typist at Granville-West Solicitors' Blackwood office, took a blank client account cheque that had been pre-signed by a partner and used it (£244.00) to pay her own ILEX summer 2009 exam and resit fees, despite having been told the firm would not pay resit fees. Handwriting expert evidence found strong evidence the non-signature writing on the cheque was hers. The Respondent did not attend and denied writing the cheque. The Tribunal found the allegation proved and found dishonesty under both limbs of the Twinsectra test. It made a Section 43(2) order and fixed costs at £9,062.23 (not to be enforced without leave given her financial position).

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money