Landreth Adonis Daniel

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

The Respondent, an experienced criminal defence solicitor at Andrew Storch Solicitors, represented Person B in domestic abuse criminal proceedings where his longstanding and continuing client Person A was the complainant and key prosecution witness, and later gave Person A advice regarding a witness summons compelling her attendance at Person B's trial. The Tribunal found both allegations proved, holding the Respondent acted with a clear and significant conflict of interest, breaching paragraphs 6.2 and 6.5 of the Code and Principles 2, 5 and 7. No dishonesty was alleged or found (integrity breach only). The Tribunal found high culpability and harm, imposing a 2-month suspension and ordering costs reduced from £34,025 to £19,277.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• No acting against a former client
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Misconduct not isolated but continued over a sustained period
• Respondent knew or ought reasonably to have known conduct was a serious breach of professional obligations
• Previous adverse disciplinary findings in 2002 and 2009 (not an unblemished record)
• High seniority and experience increased culpability
• Limited insight, persisting in narrowly technical view that Person A was not owed a professional duty

Mitigating factors:

• Over 30 years' practice in publicly funded criminal defence
• Cooperated fully with the investigation, no obfuscation
• Made early admissions where appropriate (particularly to Allegation 1.2)
• Positive character testimonials
• Formal written apology submitted 2 May 2024
• Completed CPD courses in conflicts of interest, professional ethics and safeguarding
• Misconduct arose from mistaken attempt to assist two clients rather than bad faith
• Personal and caring/financial responsibilities