Robert Mannering Sedgwick
Allegation / charges
Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019
Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision
Robert Mannering Sedgwick, a solicitor admitted in 1973, faced four allegations arising from the collapse of London Capital & Finance (found by Miles J to be a Ponzi scheme). The Tribunal, proceeding in his absence, found all allegations proved: facilitating the preparation/execution of backdated facility and loan documents on three occasions (March 2016, August 2017, January-March 2019), and acting as sole director/shareholder of Global Security Trustees Ltd (security trustee for bondholders) while simultaneously acting for borrowers, creating an obvious own interest conflict. The SRA expressly did not allege dishonesty; the findings were of breaches of Principles 2 (integrity) and 6 and Outcome 3.4. Given the seriousness, repeated unethical conduct, and failure to learn from a prior 12-month suspension, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll. No order as to costs (claimed £68,514.40) was made due to his undisputed bankruptcy and inability to pay.
Duties found breached:
Aggravating factors:
- Deliberate and repeated continuation of misconduct
- Acting despite a clear and obvious significant risk of own interest conflict over a number of years
- Failure to learn from previous disciplinary matter (Case No. 11751-2017, 12-month suspension)
- Extensive experience as a solicitor
- Acting for clients found to be part of a Ponzi scheme causing significant losses to bondholders
- Lent repute of the profession to GST as security trustee