Anthony David Dobby

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

Anthony David Dobby, a solicitor admitted in 1970, was found guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor on four allegations: holding himself out as a solicitor without a practising certificate, abandoning his practice, practising without professional indemnity insurance, and failing to comply with a Law Society direction following a finding of inadequate professional services. The Law Society intervened in his sole practice in February 2001 and he was believed to have gone abroad. The Respondent did not appear. The Tribunal found allegations (b),(c),(d) and (e) proved (allegation (a) not proceeded with), made no express finding of dishonesty, and ordered him struck off the Roll and to pay costs of £4,561.12.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No improper use of client money
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Hold a current practising certificate

Aggravating factors:

• Pattern of conduct across multiple failings
• Aware of practising certificate termination yet continued to hold himself out as a solicitor
• Aware of insurance position, requested and received ARP proposal form but failed to return it despite reminders
• Abandonment of practice leaving unopened client post and 59 phone messages
• Caused client Mr S inconvenience and costs, requiring instruction of new solicitors

Mitigating factors:

• Holding out as solicitor was for a short time and to no serious effect
• Complied (slightly late) with the direction to pay compensation to Mr S