Kate Louise Sanderson

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

The Respondent, employed at Express Solicitors, had conduct of a personal injury matter for client Mr TS insured by KLB with an indemnity limit of only £10. After realising upon discontinuance that she had failed to negotiate an increased indemnity, she fabricated two Policy Schedules (purportedly for £50,000 and £100,000), telephone attendance notes and a letter dated 16 July 2015 to make it appear that enhanced insurance cover was in place, in an attempt to have KLB pay approximately £55,000 adverse costs and to conceal her error from the Firm. The Tribunal found allegations 1.1 and 1.2 proved beyond reasonable doubt (though it did not find a 4 February 2015 letter or a 15 September 2015 email to have been fabricated). The Tribunal made an express finding of dishonesty under the Ivey test, also satisfied under Twinsectra, noting she herself accepted fabrication would be dishonest. Finding no exceptional circumstances under Sharma, the Tribunal ordered she be struck off the Roll and pay costs of £9,000.

Duties found breached:

• Act in the client's best interests
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues
• Honesty
• Proper basis for allegations

Aggravating factors:

• Proven dishonesty in material breach of obligation to protect public and maintain confidence in profession
• Actions were deliberate, calculated and repeated
• Fabrication of multiple documents requiring a degree of planning
• Sole control of and responsibility for the file

Mitigating factors:

• No personal benefit or gain derived
• Misconduct of relatively brief duration
• Previously unblemished career
• Early in her career as a solicitor at the time
• Positive references and complimentary comments from line manager and managing partner
• Suffering from health issues (depression and anxiety) at the time, though no medical evidence provided