Richard George Hunt

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

Richard George Hunt, a Norfolk solicitor, faced 29 allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor arising from persistent failures across numerous clients: failing to progress matters, allowing limitation periods to expire, failing to give costs information, failing to keep clients informed, writing inaccurate/misleading letters, delaying file handovers, failing to comply with court orders and OSS directions, and breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Rules. The Tribunal found all admitted facts and allegations substantiated, including that he misled Mr PRS and Mr W deliberately or recklessly, behaving 'at best recklessly and at worst dishonestly' (no express dishonesty finding made). Given the cumulative seriousness, his attitude, and a prior 1998 suspension, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered him to pay costs subject to detailed assessment.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Comply with and respect court orders
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Continuity and handover of representation
• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• Costs and fee transparency to client
• No conflict between current clients
• Manage conflict arising mid-matter
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Persistent and repeated failures over a long period involving numerous clients
• Aggressive and confrontational attitude to criticism and failure to accept responsibility
• Lasting damage to clients and staff and to reputation of the profession
• Prior disciplinary history (1998 indefinite suspension for failing to pay agents' fees and ignoring a Law Society direction)
• Two instances of deliberately misleading clients (Mr PRS and Mr W), behaving at best recklessly at worst dishonestly
• Failure to act until forced to after conditions imposed on practising certificate

Mitigating factors:

• No financial impropriety and no client lost money
• Pressure of work, poor health (back and knee surgery), lack of staff and support
• Took constructive steps to transfer practice intact into competent hands, with Law Society assistance
• Paid compensation awarded (£5,000 to Mr PRS, £1,500 to Mr W, £2,000 to Miss C, £500 to Mr D) and bore costs personally
• Worked very long hours trying to hold practice together
• Recognised reality of situation by time of hearing; fully retired from practice
• Expressed regret and accepted he caused prejudice and distress