Robert Lloyd Moseley

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

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found all four allegations proved against Robert Lloyd Moseley, a solicitor. Following a 2006 bankruptcy, the Respondent failed to disclose his freehold reversionary interest in a property to the Official Receiver, held himself out as able to transfer that interest, received £12,333.98 from proposed purchasers, and used the funds to pay other debts rather than returning them. The Tribunal found he acted with a lack of integrity and in a way likely to diminish public trust; the Applicant expressly made no allegation of dishonesty. The Tribunal ordered that he be struck off the Roll and pay costs of £26,094.72, not to be enforced without leave given his limited means. His appeal on sanction was dismissed by the High Court.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No own-interest conflict
• Handle inadvertently received material

Aggravating factors:

• Took advantage of a mistake made by the purchasers' solicitors
• Disbursed the money to pay other unsecured creditors when he should not have
• Failed to repay funds despite several requests over two years
• Disregarded written directions supplied following the Bankruptcy Order
• Purchasers lost money while Respondent unlawfully benefitted
• Conduct described as disgraceful; Tribunal considered him a risk to the public
• Previous appearance before the Tribunal in 2007 (reprimanded)

Mitigating factors:

• No allegation of dishonesty made by the Applicant
• Living frugally with relatives and of limited means
• Difficult personal period around the time of bankruptcy
• Working to rebuild practice as a consultant
• Made offers to repay funds (though not accepted)