Christopher Tedleff John Sawyer

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

The respondent, a sole practitioner admitted in 1978, was convicted at Bristol Crown Court of conspiracy to defraud (forgery and presentation of American Express travellers cheques worth £150,000) and sentenced to three years' imprisonment. He had practised for over seven months in breach of a condition on his practising certificate requiring Law Society-approved employment or partnership, and had failed to pay Counsel's fees totalling over £2,000. He had previously been fined £5,000 in 1994 for an earlier dishonesty conviction. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated, held he was not fit to be a member of the profession, struck him off the Roll and ordered him to pay costs of £1,296.95.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• Hold a current practising certificate
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Second criminal conviction involving dishonesty (prior 1994 finding for obtaining property by deception)
• Conviction serious enough to attract a custodial sentence of three years
• Brought dishonour upon the profession
• Practised for over seven months in breach of practising certificate condition

Mitigating factors:

• Offence committed under pressure, not to fund a champagne lifestyle (per sentencing judge)
• Credit for guilty plea
• Ill-health
• Career in ruins