Betty Igwebike Forde

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

Betty Igwebike Forde, sole Principal, COLP, COFA and MLRO of Anchor Legal Solicitors, was found to have committed serious and wide-ranging breaches of the SRA Accounts Rules between 31 July 2021 and 15 December 2022, including failing to keep accurate records, no central record of bills, mixing client and office money, and inadequate reconciliations. She also failed to properly account for client payments and returns of funds, and made or allowed LAA contract claims for hospital attendances for which there was insufficient evidence the visits took place. The Tribunal found manifest incompetence (an aggravating factor) proved for Allegations 1.1 and 1.2, and a lack of integrity in relation to the LAA claims (Allegation 1.4). No express finding of dishonesty was made. The Respondent did not attend and the hearing proceeded in her absence. She was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £65,044.75.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• No acting against a former client
• Segregate client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Manifest incompetence (found proved in relation to Allegations 1.1 and 1.2)
• Lack of integrity
• High culpability - direct control and responsibility as sole Principal, COLP, COFA and MLRO
• Conduct repeated over a significant period (over 16 months)
• Failure to remedy breaches despite repeated opportunities and warnings during forensic investigation
• Made claims for public funds (LAA) without supporting evidence
• Serious harm to reputation of the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Offered to repay sums identified in the LAA review and accepted there were shortcomings