Kathryn Poole

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

Kathryn Poole, a consultant solicitor at Vingoe Family Law Ltd acting for Client A in matrimonial proceedings, repeatedly told Client A, the Firm, the Court and the opponent's representatives between June and August 2021 that she was awaiting pension information from Client A's pension provider when she had never requested it. She also failed to promptly inform her Firm that a Penal Notice and a £250 costs order had been made against Client A following a hearing on 28 July 2021. Allegations 1.1 (including dishonesty under the Ivey test) and 1.3 were found proved; Allegation 1.2 was not proved. The Respondent did not engage with proceedings and the hearing proceeded in her absence. Finding dishonesty and no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck her off the Roll and ordered costs of £33,845.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Finding of dishonesty
• Conduct was planned rather than spontaneous
• High culpability and high harm
• Motivation to conceal her own failure to take appropriate action
• Client A subjected to Penal Notice and adverse costs order, exposing her to risk of imprisonment
• Firm exposed to potential negligence claim and court resources wasted

Mitigating factors:

• Previously unblemished career with no prior disciplinary findings