Duncan John Dollimore

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

The Respondent, a solicitor admitted in 1995, admitted three allegations: lying repeatedly to client Mrs TE about the progress of her professional negligence claim (including giving false court case numbers), failing to provide adequate cost information to client TAP Ltd, and lying to client Mr KM about his case and that proceedings had been issued. He admitted dishonesty on both objective and subjective limbs of Twinsectra in respect of the two clients. The Tribunal found all allegations and dishonesty proved. It rejected the submission that his personal, mental health and work difficulties amounted to exceptional circumstances and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £10,000 not to be enforced without leave, while expressing hope the SRA would look favourably on any future application for approval of non-solicitor employment.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• Proper basis for allegations
• Costs and fee transparency to client

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct was repeated and deliberate over a lengthy period (July 2010 to June 2013 for Mrs TE)
• Systematic campaign of deceit toward two clients rather than a one-off
• Provided false court case numbers twice to Mrs TE
• Lied to Mr KM at meeting on 25 July 2013 to dissuade him from complaining, including false claims of money-laundering investigation

Mitigating factors:

• Full and candid admissions at earliest opportunity; offered prompt resignation
• Previous good character with no prior disciplinary matters
• Positive testimonials from a Judge and District Judge
• Personal, family, health and work pressures including marital breakdown and caring for a family member; moderate depressive disorder per psychiatric report
• No client lost any money