Abiodun Oludare Odunlami

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

The Respondent, a solicitor admitted in 2007, faced allegations relating to failure to deliver an Accountant's Report, breach of practising certificate conditions, failure to fulfil undertakings in conveyancing transactions (Group A), and failure to disclose material information to lender clients (Group B). The Tribunal found allegations 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, and part of 1.6 proved. Allegations 1.2, 1.3, and 1.7 were not proved, and allegation 1.8 (which had included a dishonesty allegation) was withdrawn at the outset. No express finding of dishonesty was made. Given this was his third appearance before the Tribunal following an earlier fine and suspension, and his lack of insight and continued breaches, the Tribunal ordered him struck off the Roll and to pay costs of £45,000 (reduced from £81,218 due to disproportionality and the withdrawn allegation 1.8), not to be enforced without leave save for a possible Charging Order.

Duties found breached:

• Disclose material information to client
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Hold a current practising certificate
• Honour professional undertakings

Aggravating factors:

• Third appearance before the Tribunal, having previously been fined £11,500 (2007) and suspended for one year (2009)
• Repetition of conduct previously dealt with (failure to file Accountant's Report and failure to fulfil undertakings)
• Clients suffered substantial losses
• Respondent showed no insight and failed to accept responsibility, seeking to blame his staff
• Deliberately ignored practising certificate conditions, showing serious disrespect for the regulator
• Misconduct occurred over a period of time across multiple transactions

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent had been out of work in the UK for five years
• Personal financial hardship, including repossession of home and property in negative equity