Anthony Masters Williamson

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

Anthony Masters Williamson, a sole practitioner, faced eleven allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor arising from a Law Society inspection, including multiple conflicts of interest, inadequate supervision, failure to provide costs/client care information, overcharging vulnerable elderly clients, false Certificates of Title to lenders, and taking an unjustified executor payment. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated to the high standard of proof but declined to make a finding of dishonesty because the Respondent had not been given clear prior warning that allegation (v) was an allegation of dishonesty. Given the gravity of the misconduct, particularly towards elderly and vulnerable clients, the Tribunal ordered that he be struck off the Roll and pay the costs of the application including the Investigation Accountant's costs.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Act only on proper, lawful instructions
• Complaints procedure and handling
• Costs and fee transparency to client
• No own-interest conflict
• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Clients affected were vulnerable and elderly, those the profession was particularly expected to protect
• Professional rules designed to protect clients were blatantly ignored
• Respondent had previously been warned by an on-site certificate not to bill Power of Attorney matters in this way
• Respondent did not appear to appreciate the seriousness of his misconduct
• Charging of unreasonably high fees against vulnerable clients was described as disgraceful

Mitigating factors:

• Restored all monies (£50,241.43 including interest) to the C estate
• Took steps to rectify supervision, complaints procedure and other defaults after inspection
• No client complaints and books of account were in compliance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules
• Retrospective lender consents were obtained in the conveyancing matters
• The £1,000 executor payment remained in client account and was not taken
• Respondent was 65, had retired, had suffered a family tragedy and was diagnosed with a serious illness