Simon Jonathan Tager

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

Simon Jonathan Tager, a former partner at Addleshaw Goddard LLP, admitted that between January 2017 and April 2019 he caused or allowed billed time worth up to £1,241,790.51 to be transferred to unconnected client matters, overcharging at least one client. The Tribunal found breaches of Principles 2, 4 and 6 of the SRA Principles 2011 (including lack of integrity) and that his conduct was reckless. It accepted he gained nothing, did not act covertly, and that the conduct was an aberration linked to character traits and stress. No express finding of dishonesty was made. He was fined £8,500 and ordered to pay agreed costs of £25,000.

Duties found breached:

• Act in the client's best interests
• Integrity
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct found to be reckless
• Culpability assessed as total and harm as high
• At least one client significantly overcharged (potential maximum overcharge around £130,129; Firm paid £472,079 + VAT to client)
• Conduct impacted the Firm's billing processes and potentially its client relationships

Mitigating factors:

• Self-reported and made full and frank admissions from the start
• Open, co-operative and responsive throughout the investigation
• No personal gain and no client ultimately lost out (Firm reimbursed client)
• Conduct out of character, isolated and not repeated
• Impeccable character with substantial character references
• Genuine remorse and insight; lifestyle changes made
• Mental state at the time (mild to moderate adjustment disorder/stress) offered possible explanation
• Extraordinary 6-year delay by the SRA in prosecuting