Guy Nicholas Hurst

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

Guy Nicholas Hurst, a solicitor of over 25 years' experience, was found to have on three occasions requested and received client funds (£2,000 from Client S, £5,000 from Client M while at Eric Robinson Solicitors, and £3,000 from Client J while at Keystone Law) into his personal bank account in relation to property matters. He also misled Keystone Law by giving a false warranty that he was not subject to any SRA investigation, denied requesting other personal payments, and gave untrue reasons for requesting payment from Client J. The Tribunal found all allegations proven beyond/on the balance of probabilities including express findings of dishonesty under the Ivey test. The Respondent did not participate. Finding no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered him to pay £6,282.50 in costs.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct was deliberate, planned and repeated at least three times across two firms
• Motivated by financial difficulties and personal gain
• Very experienced solicitor with over 25 years of experience
• Gave false warranty to Keystone Law and attempted to conceal wrongdoing
• Provided incentives to clients to pay funds into personal account without explaining consequences
• Dishonesty caused harm to clients and the reputation of the profession
• Loss to Client J was made good by Keystone Law, not the Respondent

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters