Peter Anthony Yeeles

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

Sole practitioner Peter Anthony Yeeles admitted all 14 allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor, including overcharging the estate of Mrs O (charging £86,359 against an agreed/proper figure of around £33,000-£45,578) and making misleading representations to clients Mr and Mrs T about fees deducted. The Tribunal found these matters (allegations xi and xii) amounted to conscious dishonesty. Notwithstanding mitigation (personal turmoil, bereavement, marital breakdown, alcohol, frank admissions), the case was not exceptional under Bolton v The Law Society. The Respondent was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay agreed costs of £17,000.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Act only on proper, lawful instructions
• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• Fair, reasonable and lawful fees
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Hold a current practising certificate

Aggravating factors:

• Conscious dishonesty / conscious impropriety
• Took unfair advantage of an estate
• Misled clients and the Law Society
• Failure to respond to regulator correspondence
• Misused client funds for own benefit