Aygun Sahin

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

A trainee solicitor at Duncan Lewis took £500 in cash paid by a client on account of costs and retained it for her own use without paying it into client account. She completed a Legal Help form and client care letter falsely presenting the private client's matter as legally aided (the firm received £93 from the LSC), and later misled the client about the progress of a court application that had never been issued, inventing a court date. The Tribunal found all three allegations proved and expressly found dishonesty under both limbs of the Twinsectra test. Despite mitigation that she was a trainee under personal financial pressure, there were no exceptional circumstances and she was struck off the Roll. The hearing proceeded in her absence with her consent. Costs of £11,252.96 (agreed) were ordered.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• No improper solicitation or touting
• No improper use of client money
• Not mislead the court
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Only repaid the money when her actions came to light
• Conduct extended over a period of time
• Took deliberate steps to conceal the misappropriation
• Invented a fictitious court date and hearing

Mitigating factors:

• Was a trainee solicitor at the time of the misconduct
• Under personal financial and emotional pressure
• No previous disciplinary matters