Michael Fielding

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

Michael Fielding, a former solicitor admitted in 1971 and partner at Lawrence Graham, admitted withdrawing very substantial client funds without authority. The firm established losses of £6,477,099. The Tribunal found he had dishonestly taken substantial client funds, constituting misconduct at the most serious level. As he had already voluntarily removed himself from the Roll following bankruptcy, the Tribunal ordered that his name not be restored except by Order of the Tribunal and ordered him to pay costs of £4,383.11.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest taking of substantial client funds
• Total loss to the firm of £6,477,099 including penalties and interest
• Specimen unauthorised payments for personal benefit totalling £1,089,483
• Misconduct at the most serious level

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted the facts and documents
• Voluntarily disclosed misconduct to senior partner