Eve Clare Carlile

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

The SRA applied to withdraw three allegations against the Respondent (writing a misleading letter to Santander Bank, providing a misleading explanation to her employer during disciplinary proceedings, and misleading a client about case progress) to enter into a Regulatory Settlement Agreement. The Respondent admitted the underlying facts and allegations but denied dishonesty and lack of integrity. Strong medical evidence (notably Dr Cutting, instructed by the Applicant) concluded she was suffering from a psychiatric disorder and was not acting dishonestly. The SRA no longer advanced dishonesty, so no express finding of dishonesty was made. The Tribunal consented to withdrawal, finding the RSA a proportionate outcome with public-protection safeguards. The RSA provided for an SRA rebuke and £1,000 costs contribution.

Duties found breached:

• Act in the client's best interests
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank

Mitigating factors:

• Unblemished 12-year career as a solicitor
• Full admissions to the allegations (save dishonesty/lack of integrity)
• Strong medical evidence of a depressive/psychiatric disorder at the material time
• No client suffered loss; no financial impropriety or benefit to the Respondent
• Personal difficulties; sole breadwinner trying to keep her job
• Genuine remorse and embarrassment
• Offered undertakings to remove her name from the Roll
• Character testimonials from former clients