Nigel Francis Taylor

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

Solicitor admitted to a solicitor in 1975, practising at William Bache & Sons, instigated improper withdrawals from client account from which he personally benefited by a minimum of £47,129.94, and benefited by approximately £11,150 from four fraudulently obtained mortgage advances. He was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court of conspiracy to defraud, making a false instrument, and twelve counts of theft, receiving 15 months' imprisonment. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated, describing the misconduct as of the most serious nature involving dishonesty, and struck him off the Roll plus ordered costs of £4,115.85.

Duties found breached:

• Cease acting on client perjury or disobedience
• No taking unfair advantage
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Misappropriation of clients' funds for personal benefit (minimum £47,129.94)
• Fraudulently obtained mortgage advances (approx £11,150)
• Criminal convictions for conspiracy to defraud, false instrument and twelve counts of theft
• Grave breaches of trust over a period of time