Timothy John Moles

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

Timothy John Moles, a sole practitioner/salaried partner, was found guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor on four counts: failing to file an accountant's report (still outstanding), failing to notify The Law Society of a change of business address within 14 days, failing to comply with a Practising Certificate condition (Practice Management Course attendance), and failing to respond to OSS correspondence. No dishonesty was alleged. Given the seriousness and his prior 1998 disciplinary appearance, the Tribunal suspended him indefinitely from 4 July 2002 and ordered costs of £1,224.32.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Hold a current practising certificate
• No improper solicitation or touting
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Previous appearance before the Tribunal in 1998 for similar failures (failure to account for interest and failure to respond to professional body), which should have served as a warning
• Accountant's report failure was ongoing/still outstanding at the date of hearing

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted all allegations and did not contest them
• Suffered a nervous/mental breakdown; treated for depression with medication
• Suffering severe chest pains and high blood pressure, awaiting cardiology assessment
• Personal difficulties including divorce, loss of home and assets, no income
• Telephone calls to his old office were automatically re-routed (not a solicitor disappearing)
• Stated he had attended a Practice Management Course in February/March 2001
• Tendered apologies and stated he would not seek to practise on his own account or in partnership again