Edgar Stephen George Thomas

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

Edgar Stephen George Thomas, a sole practitioner solicitor, was found to have grossly overcharged clients and estates in numerous probate matters, transferring large sums from client to office account without delivering bills and far in excess of the work done (e.g. charging ~£100,000-£150,000 on routine estates worth a fraction of that, and ~£160,000 in the AW matter). His client care letters gave estimates of £2,000-£10,000 and an hourly rate of £200 while he actually justified charges at £350/hour with no meaningful time recording. He also misled a client (PE) about funds being invested to explain delay in distribution. The Tribunal found all allegations (1.1-1.5) proved beyond reasonable doubt and found the Respondent both objectively and subjectively dishonest under the Twinsectra test. Applications to adjourn for lack of disclosure and pending criminal proceedings were refused. With no exceptional circumstances, he was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £76,000.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Costs and fee transparency to client
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Proven dishonesty that was deliberate, calculated and repeated
• Abuse of position of trust, particularly where acting as sole executor with no client to answer to
• Systematic overcharging over an extended period (in one instance 50 times the estimate)
• Continued the same practices even after overcharging was raised in the first FI report
• Failure to send interim bills used to conceal amounts taken
• Harm caused to clients, beneficiaries and public trust in the profession
• Negligible insight; only very limited admissions made during evidence

Mitigating factors:

• No previous appearances before the Tribunal