Roseanne Ebun Tugbobo

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

Roseanne Ebun Tugbobo, a solicitor at Thomas Rose solicitors, faced eight allegations including breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Rules, misappropriation of client funds, and writing a misleading letter. An SRA investigation found a lender (Woolwich/Barclays) was owed £757,479.22 after a near-£1m mortgage advance was not returned, with only £390 held in client account. She also failed to comply with an undertaking and to file an Accountant's Report. She did not attend but admitted all allegations, including dishonesty for allegations 3-6. The Tribunal found all matters proved and dishonesty both admitted and proved under the Twinsectra test, and struck her off the Roll, ordering reduced costs of £5,000.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Diligence and timeliness
• Honour professional undertakings

Aggravating factors:

• Nearly £1m of mortgage funds disappeared
• Misappropriation of client funds
• Misleading other solicitors

Mitigating factors:

• Full and frank admissions, including admission of dishonesty
• Cooperation with the SRA
• Expressed deep shame and remorse
• Serious illness/poor health
• Claimed no personal gain and to have been manipulated by a client
• Unemployed and in receipt of state benefits with a dependant and a County Court judgment against her