Michael Rowland Tiplady

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

Michael Rowland Tiplady, a solicitor admitted in 1990, was convicted on 6 August 2007 of three counts of furnishing false information relating to accounts (tax evasion totalling £1,046 based on misrepresentation to his accountant) and sentenced to a 150-hour community order and a £3,500 fine. The SRA brought an allegation that he breached Rule 1.06 of the Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007. The Tribunal heard the matter in his absence, having found good service was effected (the Respondent appeared to have tried to evade service). The Tribunal found the allegation proved, holding the criminal conviction incompatible with remaining on the Roll, and struck him off. He was ordered to pay costs of £1,531.35. The Tribunal made no express finding of dishonesty in its findings, though it noted the offences were serious and based on forgery and false information. (The £3,500 criminal fine was imposed by the Crown Court, not the Tribunal.)

Duties found breached:

• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Not an isolated incident - offences committed on three occasions over a period of one year
• Respondent admitted committing the offences thinking there was a small chance of being detected
• Respondent appeared to deliberately avoid accepting service of proceedings

Mitigating factors:

• Offences committed in his personal capacity, not as or holding himself out as a solicitor
• Pleaded guilty / admitted the offences