Anthony Gerald Biebuyck

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

Sole practitioner Anthony Gerald Biebuyck admitted improperly transferring client funds to office account via unjustified bills across three probate estates, causing a shortfall of £81,007.56 over five years. The Tribunal, applying Twinsectra, found he had been dishonest, having used clients' money to fund his practice and reduced client ledgers to nil while claiming he 'guessed' the figures. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay £1,750 costs.

Duties found breached:

• Disclose adverse law to the court
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Shortfall of client funds totalling £81,007.56
• Improper transfers made over a five-year period
• Substantial level of overbilling reducing client ledger balances to nil
• Respondent was sole signatory and solely responsible for client account
• Used clients' money to fund his practice

Mitigating factors:

• No client suffered any financial loss and no client complained
• Shortfall in one matter (Mr B) replaced prior to investigation
• Respondent intended to replace shortfalls and OSS held sufficient funds
• Only three matters affected out of some 7,000 handled
• Significant personal, health and family difficulties
• Otherwise almost unblemished record