Christopher John Savage

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

Christopher John Savage, an assistant solicitor admitted in 1985, forged the signatures of two sets of clients on mortgage deeds, signing on their behalf and adding his own signature as witness. He was also convicted on 14 December 2004 of two counts of procuring execution of valuable security by deception, having presented cheques drawn on a charity and a business association (of which he was treasurer) falsely representing they were properly authorised; he was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment concurrent. The Respondent admitted the facts and dishonesty and did not attend. The Tribunal found both allegations substantiated and that he behaved dishonestly, ordering him struck off and to pay costs of £785.

Duties found breached:

• Cease acting on client perjury or disobedience

Aggravating factors:

• Financial dishonesty with a charity as victim
• Further breach of trust as treasurer of the organisation
• Criminal conviction resulting in custodial sentence

Mitigating factors:

• History of clinical depression
• Pressure of work
• Full admissions and cooperation