Robert Nigel Wiggans

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

The Respondent, a partner and COFA at Hellewell Pasley & Brewer, made five improper transfers totalling £86,150 from client account to office account between November 2015 and August 2016 to meet the Firm's overheads, causing a cash shortage of over £86,000. He also failed to keep proper accounting records and failed to remedy the breaches promptly. The matter was dealt with on the papers by way of an Agreed Outcome. The Tribunal found the Respondent had admitted serious misconduct including dishonesty, assessed culpability as high and harm as substantial, found no exceptional circumstances, and struck him off the Roll with costs of £9,777.96.

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Act in the client's best interests
• Integrity
• No improper use of client money
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No taking unfair advantage
• Not misrepresent regulated status
• Segregate client money
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Misappropriation of client funds to meet the Firm's overheads
• Significant sum (over £86,000) involved
• Misconduct took place over many months, not a one-off
• Respondent was a very experienced solicitor operating at partner level
• Held additional responsibilities as COFA/COLP
• Potential for loss and substantial damage to reputation of the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Took full responsibility for his actions
• Positive character references; highly regarded as a solicitor and individual
• Under pressure at the material time
• Stated intention to repay amounts withdrawn