Richard George Connor

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

Sole practitioner failed to deliver his accountant's report, continued to practise in breach of practising certificate conditions and after termination of his certificate, and failed to co-operate with the Authority and Legal Complaints Service. All five allegations were found proved. No dishonesty was alleged or found. The Respondent, who reported suffering a mental breakdown, was suspended from practice indefinitely and ordered to pay costs of £1,762.50, not enforceable without the Tribunal's permission given his means.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Complaints procedure and handling
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Hold a current practising certificate

Aggravating factors:

• Potentially placed clients at risk
• Failure to engage and communicate with the Authority contributed to intervention

Mitigating factors:

• Suffered a mental breakdown
• No previous disciplinary sanctions
• Doubted he would be mentally fit to work again and had no intention of re-applying for a practising certificate
• Endeavoured to work in clients' best interests while winding down practice
• Limited means with no savings and loss of practice