(unnamed respondent)

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

Charles James Ete, struck off in June 2021 following findings including dishonesty (knowingly misleading his professional indemnity insurer) and serious client account and supervision failures (including a £1.2m client account shortage), applied to be restored to the Roll. The Tribunal found the application premature (made within six years of strike off), unsupported by satisfactory evidence of rehabilitation, legal employment, training or insight, with outstanding unpaid SRA costs and a substantial client account shortfall. Citing Bolton and Kaberry on dishonesty as an almost insurmountable obstacle, the Tribunal refused restoration and ordered costs of £3,000 (reduced from £3,527.60 due to impecuniosity).

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Not misrepresent regulated status