Guy Marven Dunn

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

Guy Marven Dunn, admitted 1969 and practising as a sole practitioner, admitted four allegations: failing to deliver an Accountant's Report on time, failing to comply with a Conduct Committee decision, failing to respond to Law Society/SCB correspondence, and practising without a Practising Certificate (he held some £14,029.91 in client money after his certificate was terminated on 24 June 1996). The Tribunal found the allegations substantiated and the breaches serious, but gave credit for the proper handover of clients' files, books in order, no client complaints, and accepted he had suffered clinical depression. No express finding of dishonesty was made. He was suspended indefinitely (with liberty to apply once recovered) and ordered to pay costs of £1,238.00.

Duties found breached:

• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• Hold a current practising certificate
• No improper communication with the court
• No improper solicitation or touting
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Breaches went to the bedrock of the Rules protecting clients and the profession
• Continued to hold clients' money (£14,029.91) for around two years without a Practising Certificate
• Ignored correspondence from his professional body and its regulatory arm

Mitigating factors:

• Ensured clients' affairs were properly handed over so no client suffered
• Books of account in order in all material respects following inspection
• No client complaint regarding honesty, competence or delay
• Suffered from clinical depression during the relevant period
• Admitted the allegations