Neil Cloutman

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

Neil Cloutman, a solicitor practising at Tudor Rose, was convicted on 19 April 2007 of two counts of making a false instrument (relating to a backdated Trust Deed purportedly signed in February 2002 but actually created in 2004) and sentenced on 16 May 2007 to 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years. A Law Society forensic investigation into his conduct of an elderly widow's (Mrs RH) affairs raised serious concerns, including a forged Enduring Power of Attorney, sale of shareholdings, and property transactions not for her benefit. The Tribunal found the uncontested allegation of conduct unbefitting a solicitor proved and ordered him struck off to uphold the integrity of the profession and protect the public, plus costs of £2,300. The Respondent did not appear and offered no mitigation. The sentencing judge referred to assisting dishonest individuals, but the Tribunal made no express finding of dishonesty.

Duties found breached:

• Cease acting on client perjury or disobedience

Aggravating factors:

• Criminal conviction for making false instruments
• Sentence of imprisonment (suspended)
• Seriousness of conduct involving an elderly widow's affairs

Mitigating factors:

• No record of any previous matters against the Respondent