Anthony Stephen Baker

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

Sole practitioner Anthony Stephen Baker failed to deliver an Accountant's Report for the whole period of his sole practice (1 July 1992 to 2 June 1993). Despite reminders and a rebuke from the Solicitors Complaints Bureau, the report remained unfiled at the hearing. The respondent did not attend but admitted the matter in writing, citing financial difficulty and lost records. The Tribunal found the allegation substantiated, imposed an indefinite suspension (to be reviewed once a satisfactory report was filed or a waiver obtained), and ordered costs of £789.08. No dishonesty was found.

Duties found breached:

• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Failure to file Accountant's Report for the whole period of sole practice (1 July 1992 to 2 June 1993)
• Continuing breach still unremedied at the date of hearing
• Previously rebuked by the Conduct Sub-Committee of the Solicitors Complaints Bureau for the delay

Mitigating factors:

• Personal and financial difficulties
• Records and accounts lost when his car was broken into
• No material irregularities found by the Law Society Investigation Accountant
• Respondent apologised for the problems caused