John Robert Peter Middleton

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

Sole practitioner John Robert Peter Middleton faced seven allegations, all proved. He practised while uncertificated (5 Jan–18 Apr 2007), failed to act in clients' best interests, sent an untrue email to the claimant's solicitors stating he had provided clients with Court Orders, failed to comply with an LCS Adjudicator's direction to pay £1,000 compensation, failed to deliver Accountant's Reports, failed to maintain accounting records under Rule 32, and failed to respond to SRA correspondence. The Applicant expressly stated no dishonesty was alleged or pleaded. The Tribunal ordered indefinite suspension and costs to be assessed if not agreed, and directed the Adjudicator's £1,000 compensation order be enforceable as a High Court Order. Unpaid costs of £840 from the Adjudicator's decision were noted.

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Disclose adverse law to the court
• Hold a current practising certificate
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper communication with the court
• Not mislead the court

Aggravating factors:

• Failure to attend hearing or provide any representations
• Serious nature of multiple rule breaches