Derrick French

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

Sole practitioner Derrick French appeared before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for the third time on charges of conduct unbefitting a solicitor, principally repeated failures to deliver Accountant's Reports on time, failure to comply with conditions on his practising certificate, and failure to reply to Law Society correspondence. All allegations were found substantiated. Given his history of similar offences in 2004 and 2005 and his failure to heed prior warnings, the Tribunal, mindful of protecting the public and profession's reputation, imposed an indefinite suspension from practice and ordered costs of £2,500. No dishonesty was alleged or found.

Duties found breached:

• Keep client informed and respond promptly
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Hold a current practising certificate

Aggravating factors:

• Repeat offences - previously disciplined in 2004 and 2005 for similar failures
• Failed to heed prior Tribunal warnings that further similar conduct would put his ability to practise in doubt
• Failed to comply with important regulatory requirements

Mitigating factors:

• Suffered serious illness including a phobia of opening official correspondence, receiving medication and therapy
• No client had complained about his work
• Never required to make an insurance notification or claim
• None of his Accountant's Reports had been qualified
• Had closed his practice