Keith Roberts

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

The Respondent had handled the affairs of the late Miss E and was instructed by her executors to wind up the estate. He raised bills totalling tens of thousands of pounds for work that the Tribunal found had not been undertaken, and transferred substantial sums from client to office account in respect of those bills, including before funds had been received and without delivering bills to the executors. The Tribunal found he had been dishonest both in billing for work not done and in transferring the money to office account. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £6,417.15. The Respondent did not appear.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• No improper solicitation or touting
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty found
• Transfer of substantial sums to office account when firm short of money
• Billing for work not undertaken
• Sought to attribute blame to former managing partner
• Failed to engage with and appeared to avoid the proceedings

Mitigating factors:

• Ill health
• Long-standing handling of client's affairs over many years