Christopher Michael Still

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

Sole practitioner solicitor admitted to making false entries in accounts and improper transfers from client to office account, with a minimum cash shortage of £152,767.58 and minimum client liability of £300,730.02. He admitted taking clients' money and was the subject of a police investigation. The Tribunal found all four allegations substantiated and that he had behaved with dishonesty. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £2,917.87. He had a previous 1993 finding with a £1,000 fine.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Admitted making false entries in accounts
• Utilised clients' funds for own purposes
• Minimum cash shortage of approximately £152,767.58
• Subject of police investigation / surrendered to police awaiting criminal proceedings
• Previous disciplinary finding in 1993 with a £1,000 fine

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted the allegations and accepted he would be struck off
• Surrendered himself to the police
• Offered to assist the Law Society with its investigations in the interests of former clients and the profession