Peter Hobson Brothwell

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

Peter Hobson Brothwell, a sole practitioner and COLP/COFA, was struck off the Roll after the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found all four allegations proved, including dishonesty in each. As sole Executor and residuary beneficiary of the estate of GGF, he overcharged the estate by around £4,069.50, raised six improper invoices totalling £9,041 during a period of inactivity, provided incomplete/inaccurate information to the DWP by omitting a jewellery insurance pay-out and overstating legal fees, failed to correct the DWP and improperly accepted a £3,500 settlement when far more was owed and available, and failed to notify or pay the DWP additional assets. The Tribunal found his conduct dishonest under the Ivey test, breaching Principles 2 and 6. Finding no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off and ordered costs of £25,000.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No improper use of client money
• No taking unfair advantage
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Four findings of dishonest conduct
• Conduct repeated and extended over time
• Concealment of true value of estate and personal financial benefit
• Depriving public purse of funds properly due
• Position of heightened trust as Executor, Trustee and residuary beneficiary
• Extremely experienced solicitor

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary findings
• Cooperated fully with investigation
• Made early factual admissions
• Belatedly took steps to repay £3,400 plus interest to DWP
• Misconduct arose from a single estate administration in a career over 40 years
• Retired solicitor unlikely to practise again