Simon Jonathan Tager

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

Simon Jonathan Tager, a partner at Addleshaw Goddard LLP, admitted causing or allowing billed time worth up to £1,241,790.51 to be transferred between unconnected client matters between January 2017 and April 2019, resulting in at least one client being overcharged. He described this as a misguided 'housekeeping' exercise. He breached Principles 2, 4 and 6 of the SRA Principles 2011 and acted recklessly, though no dishonesty was alleged or found. Given no personal gain, genuine remorse, exemplary character and a 6-year prosecution delay, the Tribunal imposed a fine of £8,500 and ordered agreed costs of £25,000.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests

Aggravating factors:

• Recklessness admitted
• At least one client significantly overcharged
• Culpability total and harm high
• Impact on Firm's billing processes and client relationships

Mitigating factors:

• Conduct wholly out of character, isolated and not repeated
• No personal gain intended or obtained
• Conduct not covert - all requests made in accessible emails
• Self-reported with full and frank admissions
• Open, co-operative and responsive throughout investigation
• Impeccable character with wealth of references
• Under significant pressure with mental health issues (Mild to Moderate Adjustment Disorder)
• Genuine remorse and insight
• Positive lifestyle changes reducing risk of relapse
• Extraordinary 6-year delay by SRA in prosecuting