Hugh Stephen Haycocks

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

Hugh Stephen Haycocks, admitted 1968, faced six allegations following an intervention into his practice on 27 October 2003. He did not attend; his last-minute adjournment application supported by inadequate medical evidence (a GP letter diagnosing "moderately severe depression") was rejected. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated and, applying the Twinsectra test, found he had acted dishonestly: he drew client account monies for his own benefit, transferred a client's (Mr C's) settlement funds into his wife's account, and altered a signed form of authority without the client's instructions. He also failed to cooperate with the Intervention Agent (who had to obtain a court order) and failed to keep proper accounting records or reconciliations. He had three previous appearances before the Tribunal (1973, 1989, and 2003, the latter resulting in indefinite suspension). He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £8,119.73.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Handle inadvertently received material
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Prior disciplinary history with three previous appearances before the Tribunal (1973, 1989, 2003)
• Already under an indefinite suspension imposed in October 2003
• Failure to cooperate with the Intervention Agent requiring a court order
• Attempt to pay a client from his wife's account after the intervention