Nigel Guy Pollard

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

The Respondent, a former solicitor admitted in 1967 and removed from the Roll voluntarily in November 1999, faced numerous allegations including accounts rules breaches, improper use of client funds, deception, conflict of interest and delay in administering an estate. He denied all allegations except allegation (iv) (acting where a conflict of interest existed between him and the client, where he failed to ensure the client obtained independent advice regarding an alleged gift of Danish funds). The parties jointly agreed that, since a Section 47 order was the only order available against a former solicitor, the Tribunal should make the prohibition order on the admitted allegation and let all other allegations lie on the file, to be considered (along with any criminal conviction) on any future restoration application. The Tribunal found allegation (iv) substantiated and made no express finding of dishonesty. It ordered the prohibition on restoration and costs of £1,762.50.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Serious matter for a solicitor to act where his own interests conflicted with the client's without ensuring independent advice was obtained

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent did not contest allegation (iv) and agreed the order should be made
• Had not practised as a solicitor since 1998
• Stated he would not wish to enter practice as a solicitor again