Robert Mannering Sedgwick

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

Robert Mannering Sedgwick, a solicitor admitted in 1973 and acting as a consultant employed by Buss Murton Law LLP and later as an independent consultant, faced four allegations arising mainly from findings of Miles J in the LCF litigation. The Tribunal found all allegations proved: (1.1) in March 2016 he facilitated the preparation and execution of a backdated facility agreement between L&TD and LCF; (1.2) in August 2017 he facilitated a backdated assignment of loan between LOG and APS; (1.3) in early 2019 he facilitated backdated call option and facility agreements between LOG, TWP and LPE; and (1.4) between December 2015 and March 2018 he owned and controlled GST, acting as security trustee for bondholders despite an obvious conflict given his instructions for connected borrowers. The proceedings expressly involved no allegation of dishonesty, fraud or money laundering (those being matters under SFO investigation). The Tribunal found breaches of Principles 2 and 6 and Outcome 3.4, holding the conduct lacked integrity and undermined public trust. The hearing proceeded in his absence under Rule 36. Given the serious nature of the misconduct, the Tribunal ordered that he be struck off the Roll.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Backdating of documents found by Miles J to be 'endemic'
• Backdating done to give false/misleading impressions to auditors, regulators and boards
• Repeated conduct over several years involving multiple documents

Mitigating factors:

• He had not practised as a solicitor since the end of 2017 and had no intention of doing so in future
• Aged 77 with little opportunity to restore his financial position
• Had been made bankrupt and remained so