Angelina Mary Rigby

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

Solicitor and former partner at Geldards LLP faced six allegations arising from a late costs budget in a clinical negligence claim. The Tribunal found Allegations 1.2 and 1.3 proved (backdating recreated letters sent to opponent and court - breaches of Principles 2 and 6, but NOT dishonest) and Allegation 1.4 proved with dishonesty (filing an application notice with a statement of truth describing recreated letters as 'copy letters' without disclosing they were recreations, breaching Principles 1, 2 and 6). Allegations 1.1, 1.5 and 1.6 were found not proved due to significant evidential gaps in the Applicant's poorly prepared case (could not prove beyond reasonable doubt the costs budget did not exist on 30 June 2017). Given the dishonesty finding and absence of exceptional circumstances, the Respondent was struck off the Roll. Applicant applied for costs of £26,445.84.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Serve justice and improve the law

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct was dishonest, deliberate and calculated
• Respondent attempted to conceal her wrongdoing
• Very experienced solicitor (26 years) who ought to have known better
• Failed to take later opportunity to correct misleading documents before the court

Mitigating factors:

• Single episode in an otherwise unblemished record
• Positive character testimonials attesting to professionalism and integrity
• Some evidence of insight and some admissions made
• Conduct took place over a short period under pressure