Peter Charles Davies

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

Peter Charles Davies, an assistant solicitor handling probate matters, admitted nine allegations including misappropriating client and estate funds totalling over £290,000, creating two fraudulent Wills, and abusing a power of attorney after the client's death. The Tribunal found all allegations proved with express findings of dishonesty on each. With no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal ordered him struck off the Roll and to pay costs of £17,000.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• No conflict between current clients
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct planned and repeated over a period of over five years
• Motivation of personal financial gain
• Abuse of positions of trust
• Abuse of power of attorney after client's death
• Creation of fraudulent Wills to conceal wrongdoing
• Experienced solicitor (qualified 1995)
• Harm caused to beneficiaries and to reputation of profession
• Dishonesty found on nine occasions

Mitigating factors:

• Open and frank admissions at an early stage
• Co-operation with the investigating body
• Previously unblemished record