Russell Stephen Hiscott

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

Russell Stephen Hiscott, a sole practitioner admitted in 1975, faced allegations following an OSS intervention into his practice. Forensic investigation revealed he misused client funds across multiple estates (NTJ, MLM and RJB deceased), including using one estate's funds for unconnected matters and transferring client money to his office account labelled as "Capital." A shortage of £120,327.51 was identified in the RJB estate alone. The Tribunal found allegations (a), (b), (d) and (e) substantiated (allegations (c) and (f) withdrawn). It found a deliberate, repetitive dishonest course of conduct over a long period and ordered him struck off the Roll plus payment of fixed costs of £16,238.54. Criminal proceedings were pending.

Duties found breached:

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

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate, repetitive course of conduct
• Conduct over a long period of time
• Dishonest taking of clients' money
• Failure to exercise proper stewardship over client monies