Andrew Hugh Butler

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

Andrew Hugh Butler, a solicitor admitted in 1981 and consultant at Worthingtons, admitted improperly transferring £19,289.54 from client account via unjustified/duplicate invoices (dishonestly) between 2012-2018, and failing to bank dividend cheques and remittances worth about £70,000 for the Estate of SJC over 25 years. He admitted dishonesty. The Tribunal approved the agreed outcome, striking him off the Roll and ordering costs of £16,650.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty - knowingly raising invoices and transferring client money without authorisation including duplicated charges not due to the Firm
• Retained dividend cheques and remittances for some 25 years, failing to protect client money and assets
• Caused significant loss (around £70,000) to beneficiaries of the estate

Mitigating factors:

• Mitigation referenced from Statement of Agreed Facts (paragraphs 56-62), not detailed in judgment