Michael John Read

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

The Respondent, admitted 1973 and a sole practitioner in Swindon, was found guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor for failing to comply with two OSS Adjudicator directions (£200 compensation to Mr Folarin and £1,617.90 costs to Shoosmiths). He admitted the failures, citing mental health and financial difficulties, but had still not paid at the hearing. No dishonesty was alleged or found. Given a virtually identical prior finding in 2000 (£1,000 fine), the Tribunal suspended him from practice for an indefinite period, ordered the directions enforced as High Court Orders, and ordered costs subject to detailed assessment. Preliminary applications for adjournment and alleged conflict of interest were refused.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Diligence and timeliness

Aggravating factors:

• Previous Tribunal finding on 2 March 2000 for the same type of failure to comply with an OSS direction (fined £1,000)
• Persistent non-compliance despite numerous letters and continuing failure to comply as at the hearing

Mitigating factors:

• No dishonesty alleged or found; no misappropriation of money
• Deterioration in mental health, including hospitalisation July-August 2001
• Financial difficulties following earlier Legal Aid fraud allegations against a former principal (Respondent's name eventually cleared)
• Genuine inability rather than deliberate refusal to pay
• Admissions made by the Respondent