Susan Lebreton-Towell

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

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal dealt with the matter on the papers by way of an Agreed Outcome. Ms Lebreton-Towell admitted conducting reserved legal activity (a probate application for reward) when not permitted, practising as a solicitor while not authorised after her firm closed, and failing to pay client money promptly into an approved client account. Allegations of failing to co-operate and the aggravating feature of manifest incompetence were withdrawn. The Tribunal found she failed to act with integrity but made no finding of dishonesty. The misconduct was assessed as serious but did not justify striking off; a 3-month suspension was imposed together with costs of £16,000. Her existing conditional practising certificate was left for the SRA to determine.

Duties found breached:

• Act only on proper, lawful instructions
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Not misrepresent regulated status