Anthony Hershel Blok

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

The Respondent, a former solicitor already removed from the Roll, was convicted at Croydon and Southwark Crown Courts of multiple serious offences including assisting another to retain benefit of criminal conduct, perjury, perverting the course of justice, money laundering offences and furnishing false information relating to accounts. He was sentenced to four years' imprisonment. The Tribunal found the allegations proved, noting the convictions disclosed serious dishonesty and that he had failed to act with integrity and diminished public trust. It ordered that his name not be restored to the Roll except by Order of the Tribunal, and ordered costs of £994.20, neither enforceable without leave given his age, health and imprisonment.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Criminal convictions disclosing serious dishonesty
• Conduct spanned some 10 years
• Assisted a dishonest client to retain proceeds of criminal conduct
• Money laundering offences
• Perjury and perverting the course of justice
• Previous appearance before the Tribunal in 2002

Mitigating factors:

• Elderly (73), in poor health and currently in prison
• Mitigation submitted via solicitors' letter