Anthony David Dobby

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

Anthony David Dobby, admitted 1970, faced allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor. The Law Society intervened in his sole practice in February 2001. The Tribunal found proved that he held himself out as a solicitor without a practising certificate (his certificate having been terminated on 16 January 2001), abandoned his practice (the intervening agent found unopened post and an answerphone full of messages, with the Respondent believed to have gone abroad), practised without professional indemnity insurance (failing to return an ARP proposal form despite reminders), and failed to comply with a Law Society direction relating to Mr S's title to property following a finding of inadequate professional services. Allegation (a) was not proceeded with. The Respondent did not appear. The Tribunal found these serious matters showed a pattern of conduct and that he should not continue in the profession; he was struck off and ordered to pay costs of £4,561.12. No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• Hold a current practising certificate
• No improper use of client money
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Pattern of conduct disregarding clients and professional body
• Failure to comply with directions of professional body damaged reputation of the profession
• Practising uninsured shifts cost of claims to the rest of the profession
• Abandonment of practice with disturbing findings by intervening agent
• Caused Mr S inconvenience and costs, requiring him to instruct new solicitors

Mitigating factors:

• Holding out without a practising certificate had no serious effect and was for a short period
• Complied (albeit slightly late) with the order to pay compensation to Mr S