Stephen Michael Tobin

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

Stephen Michael Tobin, a solicitor admitted in 1971, admitted all allegations including six allegations of dishonesty. He deliberately backdated Enduring Powers of Attorney for three clients (Mrs EH, Mr MB, Mr AG) to dates before EPAs ceased to be available on 1 October 2007, and falsely signed to state he had witnessed signatures of donors and attorneys when they had not signed in his presence. He also failed to assess clients' mental capacity, failed to return £15,110 of client money held for Mr TK for around six years, and improperly used £2,584.83 of Mr TK's funds to pay another client's (Mr GS) stamp duty land tax liability. The matter proceeded as an Agreed Outcome on the papers. The Tribunal found dishonesty (express finding under Twinsectra) and ordered the Respondent struck off the Roll and to pay costs of £10,000.

Duties found breached:

• Act only on proper, lawful instructions
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Not mislead the court
• Personal probity and fitness to practise
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Proper basis for allegations