Lawrence David Winter

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

Lawrence David Winter, a former solicitor who had voluntarily removed his name from the Roll in 1999, faced five allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor arising from his handling of a client's affairs, including misappropriating around £75,000 in cash deposits, failing to complete share transfers (instead transferring shares to himself and his wife), falsely claiming beneficial ownership of the client's company, and swearing false/misleading affidavits in civil litigation which was dismissed with a personal costs order. He did not appear. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated, describing his behaviour as disgraceful, but made no express finding of dishonesty. As he had already left the Roll, it ordered that his name not be restored except by Tribunal order and ordered him to pay costs of £8,137.07.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No own-interest conflict
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct described as extraordinary and disgraceful
• Evicted client from premises and pursued litigation later dismissed with personal costs order against him