Kathryn Poole

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

Kathryn Poole, a consultant solicitor at Vingoe Family Law, acted for Client A in matrimonial proceedings. She repeatedly told Client A, the court, the opposing party's representatives and her firm that pension information was awaited from the pension provider, when she had never requested it. As a result Client A missed deadlines, had a Penal Notice issued against her and was ordered to pay £250 costs. The Tribunal found Allegation 1.1 proved including dishonesty (applying Ivey), and Allegation 1.3 proved (failing to promptly inform her firm of the Penal Notice and costs order). Allegation 1.2 was not proved. The Respondent did not engage with proceedings or attend; the hearing proceeded in her absence. With a finding of dishonesty and no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck her off the Roll and ordered costs of £33,845.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Finding of dishonesty
• Conduct was planned rather than spontaneous
• High culpability - motivated by concealing her own failure
• High level of foreseeable harm to client, firm and court

Mitigating factors:

• Previously unblemished career / no prior disciplinary findings