Christopher Tomos Hale

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

Christopher Tomos Hale, sole director and shareholder of Rohrer & Co Ltd, failed to control his firm and allowed non-solicitors (Mr and Mrs H) to run it, permitting the firm to accept and misuse over £8 million from the Axiom Legal Financing Fund contrary to funding agreements (PSSA and LFA). Funds were diverted to entities connected with Mr and Mrs H, Mr Schools and others, and used for improper purposes rather than eligible legal expenses. He assisted misuse of Axiom funds, permitted banking-facility payments through firm accounts without underlying transactions, gave false/misleading information to the SRA, and failed due diligence on ATE insurer Frion. He admitted all allegations and dishonesty from after August 2012 (Twinsectra test). The Tribunal found dishonesty proven and, finding no exceptional circumstances, ordered him struck off the Roll and to pay agreed costs of £20,838.97.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No conflict between current clients
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Proven and admitted dishonesty (from after August 2012)
• Misconduct continued over a significant period of time
• Failure to act when he became aware of the dubious nature of those with whom he was working
• Ignored clear indicia of fraud and mismanagement of Axiom monies
• Significant harm to investors who lost money and to reputation of profession

Mitigating factors:

• No prior experience of running a practice, financial management or litigation funding
• Reliant on and misled by Mrs H whom he trusted
• Motivation not primarily personal gain but to provide litigation funding
• Genuine insight and large degree of remorse; apologised
• Full cooperation with the SRA throughout
• Previous unblemished record
• Continuing to pay instalments for intervention costs despite limited means