Richard Michael Cohen

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

Richard Michael Cohen, a partner and COLP/COFA at Rudds Solicitors, admitted making numerous untrue and misleading statements to four clients about the progress of their matters (fictitious injunctions, tribunal hearings, mediations, grant of probate, and a property transfer involving an unaccounted-for joint owner). He admitted dishonesty in relation to allegations 1.1 and 1.2 and recklessness in relation to 1.3; the SRA withdrew recklessness on 1.1/1.2 and invited the Tribunal not to determine dishonesty on 1.3. The Tribunal, dealing with the matter on the papers via an Agreed Outcome, found the admissions properly made and, given the admitted dishonesty and absence of exceptional circumstances, ordered that he be struck off the Roll and pay costs of £17,995.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Integrity
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No conflict between current clients
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty occurred across three separate client matters
• Prolonged dishonest conduct, in one matter continuing over 31 months
• Respondent was the Firm's COLP and COFA, a position of significant trust
• Conduct caused civil claims against the Firm and contributed to the Firm's closure due to unaffordable indemnity insurance
• Repeated maintenance of lies through further untrue updates when clients sought progress

Mitigating factors:

• Difficult working environment following office merger and staffing issues
• Took on litigation and probate matters outside his conveyancing specialism against his wishes
• No intention for personal gain; no client charged for the purported work
• Full cooperation with the Firm and SRA investigations
• Otherwise unblemished career
• Expressed apology and remorse for distress caused
• Young family and uncertain financial position at the time