Neil Harget

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

Neil Harget, a solicitor admitted in 1992 practising as a sole practitioner, was found guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor for failing to keep proper accounts, failing to produce books of account for inspection, practising without a practising certificate after its termination on 22 July 1996, failing to deliver an Accountant's Report, and abandoning his practice. He did not appear; his adjournment request (citing hospital admission) was refused absent a formal medical report, and there were doubts about its seriousness. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated, made no allegation or finding of dishonesty, and ordered an indefinite suspension from practice plus fixed costs of £864. (A separate March 1997 decision had fined him £1,000 for related accounts breaches.)

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Hold a current practising certificate
• No improper solicitation or touting
• Proper termination and return of instructions
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Abandoned practice to the detriment of clients and concern of other professionals
• Conveyancing transactions not properly dealt with
• Failed to make any attempt to comply with the Rules
• Did not respond to or challenge the allegations; effectively disappeared

Mitigating factors:

• No allegation of dishonesty was made against the respondent