Andrew James Watkins

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

The Respondent, a senior partner who had retired, was convicted on 20 April 2011 of doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of justice. After learning his tenant had been found dead (suspected carbon monoxide poisoning), he created a back-dated fax instructing letting agents to check the property's utilities, and misled the police. He admitted the allegation. The SRA expressly did NOT allege dishonesty. Despite strong mitigation (exemplary 48-year career, extensive charitable work, self-reporting, panic/aberration, no harm ultimately caused), the Tribunal struck him off to preserve the collective reputation and public confidence in the profession.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct involved commission of a criminal offence (perverting the course of justice)
• Created a false back-dated document intended to deceive investigators
• As a solicitor he was expected to behave by the highest professional standards
• Deliberately sought to mislead the police

Mitigating factors:

• No dishonesty alleged
• Self-reported the conviction to the SRA
• Misconduct was short-lived and not premeditated or repeated
• Previous exemplary character over a 48-year unblemished career
• Extensive charitable and community work; strong testimonials
• Accepted responsibility and made admissions
• Acted in panic/aberration; ultimately no harm caused to others