Lorraine Marie Forrest

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

The Respondent, admitted 1998, forged six work permits for immigration clients while employed at two firms between 1999 and 2001. She pleaded guilty to six offences under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 and received a community punishment order (100 hours) and a two-year community rehabilitation order. Before the Tribunal she admitted the allegations and pleaded pressure and inadequate supervision in mitigation. The Tribunal found the allegations substantiated, held no pressure could excuse her conduct, and struck her off the Roll, ordering costs of £1,096.20 (payable by instalments). The Tribunal found she had not acted with the required probity, integrity and trustworthiness, but made no express finding of dishonesty.

Duties found breached:

• Cease acting on client perjury or disobedience
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Multiple offences (six forgeries) over an extended period, not a single aberration
• Conduct repeated across two firms
• Criminal conviction for forgery
• Behaviour seriously damaged the reputation of the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Early admissions of the disciplinary allegations
• Genuine perception of being under extreme pressure with inadequate support
• Took full responsibility and recognised serious fault
• Completed community service and required course
• Conducted her own case competently
• Positive testimonials and support of family/friends