Karen Nicholson

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

Karen Nicholson, a solicitor handling domestic violence and family work, faced wide-ranging misconduct allegations spanning six years (2013-2019) across three firms. At Jackamans she instructed process servers with whom she had a personal relationship, contrary to legal aid guidance. At Levy & Co she falsely denied a personal relationship with a process server and submitted inaccurate mileage expense claims (found dishonest). At Steed and Steed she conducted reserved legal activity through an unauthorised body (UK Family Law Group, owned by Mr Bilotta), failed to make legal aid applications for two clients and lied to them about it (dishonest), and submitted inaccurate expense claims (dishonest). In relation to Client S she failed to return a marriage certificate, gave misleading information about a Notice of Severance (dishonest), and told the client she had no right to complain. She also caused false/misleading CVs to be submitted to prospective employers on five occasions (dishonest). All allegations were found proved. Dishonesty was expressly proved in respect of allegations 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.3.7, 1.3.9, 1.4.2 and 1.5. The Respondent did not attend; the Tribunal proceeded in her absence and refused an adjournment, relying on Dr Wilkins' conclusion that she was fit to participate with reasonable adjustments. The Tribunal ordered that she be struck off the Roll.

Duties found breached:

• Act in the client's best interests
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank