Indira Butcher

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

The Respondent, admitted in 1971 and practising as sole principal of Barnes & Co, continued to practise after her practising certificate was terminated on 15 December 2008, operating client account and making payments, and had no qualifying indemnity insurance for 2008/2009. She did not respond to the SRA, leading to intervention. The Tribunal found all three allegations proved but made no finding of dishonesty. It imposed an indefinite suspension and ordered costs of £6,000.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Hold a current practising certificate

Aggravating factors:

• No response or explanation provided by the Respondent
• Practised without both a practising certificate and insurance, exposing clients to risk

Mitigating factors:

• Conduct took place over a relatively short period
• No previous disciplinary sanctions