Peter Llewellyn Meldrum

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

Peter Llewellyn Meldrum, an assistant solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, admitted six allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor involving unreasonable delay, misleading clients and employers, settling litigation without instructions, failing to advise clients of his own negligence, and deliberately concealing his actions across numerous client matters. He concealed correspondence, deleted emails, removed files and suppressed bills to circumvent supervision, though acted without financial gain (even paying one settlement from his own pocket). The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated but made no express finding of dishonesty, noting serious doubts about his mental well-being. He was suspended indefinitely and ordered to pay £1,400 costs, with any future application to lift suspension requiring current medical evidence.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• No improper communication with the court
• Honesty
• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Diligence and timeliness

Aggravating factors:

• Repeated misleading of numerous clients across multiple matters
• Deliberate concealment including destruction of emails and removal of files
• Suppression and diversion of bills to avoid client queries
• Withdrew a client's disability claim and settled matters without instructions
• Told clients false information about proceedings, admissions of liability and settlements
• Circumvented the firm's supervisory, administrative and financial systems

Mitigating factors:

• No financial gain; in one case paid settlement sum (£4,500) from his own funds
• Full cooperation with employer's inquiry and the Law Society
• Frank and open acknowledgement of conduct and admissions
• Genuine regret and contrition
• Previously unblemished record; conduct out of character
• Tribunal's view that there were serious doubts about his mental well-being and he should have sought help