Alison Hartvigsen

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

Alison Margaret Hartvigsen, a sole practitioner, faced ten charges including dishonestly transferring $119,632.44 from her trust account to her general account, dishonestly applying $8,995 to her own use, preparing false trust account ledgers, delay in a deceased estate matter, and five breaches of s 443(3) of the LPA for failing to respond to regulator notices. She filed no substantive material, not admitting allegations and claiming privilege against self-incrimination. The Tribunal found professional misconduct on all ten charges and, given repeated dishonesty and no evidence of insight or remorse, found her likely permanently unfit for practice, recommending she be struck off. She was ordered to pay the applicant's standard costs assessed as if in the Supreme Court.

Duties found breached:

• No abuse of process or coercive powers
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Repeated acts of dishonesty and misappropriation of client money
• Repetition and persistence in failing to engage with the professional regulator
• No evidence of insight, remorse or rehabilitation
• Multiple clients affected, requiring fidelity fund claims