Michael Edward Rigg

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

Michael Edward Rigg, a consultant solicitor, pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position and was sentenced to 26 months imprisonment for stealing around £50,000 from an elderly, vulnerable client over three years. The SDT found the conviction breached SRA Principles 1, 2 and 6. The Tribunal expressly found dishonesty and, finding no exceptional circumstances, struck him off the Roll and ordered him to pay agreed costs of £1,226.65.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank

Aggravating factors:

• Took advantage of an elderly and vulnerable client
• Deliberate conduct over a sustained period (three years)
• Dishonest abuse of a position of trust
• Theft of approximately £50,000 from a client
• Commission of a criminal offence; conviction for fraud by abuse of position with 26 months imprisonment
• Must have known he was in material breach of obligations

Mitigating factors:

• Made good the loss / repaid virtually all money
• Showed insight into his conduct
• Pleaded guilty to the offences
• No previous disciplinary history
• Cooperated with the Applicant