Trevor Austin Trent Hobden

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

Trevor Austin Trent Hobden, a solicitor, was found by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal to have committed serious breaches relating to the handling of probate matters inherited from a former partner. He transferred costs from client to office account without delivering bills (Rule 19(2)), withdrew client money improperly (Rule 22), culpably overcharged clients across numerous estates as evidenced by an independent costs draftsman's report, and failed to provide proper costs information (Rule 15). The Tribunal did not believe his explanation that he had conducted genuine file reviews or that extensive unrecorded work justified the round-sum bills. Applying the Twinsectra test, the Tribunal found he had acted dishonestly, drawing bills neither knowing nor caring whether the charges were justified and taking money from estates without the paying parties' knowledge. Allegation (d) was found not substantiated as a separate allegation. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £14,250 (exclusive of VAT), with the order deferred to 8 December 2009 to allow orderly closure of his practice.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty - drew bills neither knowing nor caring whether costs were properly due or reasonable
• Significant and repeated overcharging across multiple probate estates (up to ~87% overcharge)
• Raised bills when files were dormant with no work done
• Took costs from an estate with a life tenant and archived the file improperly (E Deceased)
• Failed to adhere to an agreement with executor Mr H that no further fees were payable, then raised four invoices
• Made false and misleading statements to clients/beneficiaries
• Failed to advise clients (Mr and Mrs Kn) about insurance commission received in place of costs
• Evasive and unreliable as a witness

Mitigating factors:

• Files had been inherited from a former partner (Mr G) with no formal handover
• Matters were several years old and Respondent lacked access to files to refresh recollection
• Successful and popular sole practice with positive client testimonials
• Recent accountants' report and SRA monitoring raised only minor issues since rectified
• Practising certificate free of conditions; no prior restrictions on practice
• Family and financial hardship consequences