Richard Mark Baker

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

Richard Mark Baker, admitted 1976, was a conveyancing partner at William Attwood & Son. Following a report by his former partner, an FIO investigation revealed he released completion monies before receiving mortgage advances (causing client account shortages of £165,000 to £742,644.64), delayed registrations and stamp duty payments, and breached undertakings to redeem charges. He used one client's (Mr H's) £8,000 for another client and paid £5,000 from a third client's (Mrs T's) account to compensate another client (Mr MS), concealing this via false ledger entries and cheque stubs. The Tribunal expressly found dishonesty applying the Twinsectra test and ordered him struck off with costs (subject to detailed assessment, including investigation accountant costs).

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Safeguard documents and limit liens
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Calculated, deliberate and premeditated actions to avoid detection
• Deliberate concealment via false ledger entries and incorrectly completed cheque stubs
• Misappropriation of client money for benefit of third parties
• Loss to Mr H which the former partner had to make up
• The misappropriation would not have been discovered unless he came forward