David Alan Webb

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

David Alan Webb, admitted 1977, faced four allegations arising from his handling of client CW's 2009 will and the transfer of a property (2A Armstrong Road) to RMP LLP. He admitted acting in a conflict of interests (his cohabitee/employee stood to benefit from the will) and admitted breaching an undertaking given to CW's new solicitors that he would not register the property transfer. He nevertheless registered the transfer weeks after CW had died and after being disinstructed, claiming it was an 'innocent mistake' and that he had forgotten the undertaking. The Tribunal rejected this account, finding the breach deliberate, and found he had failed to act in the client's best interests, lacked integrity, diminished public trust, and had acted dishonestly under the Twinsectra test (despite no personal benefit). He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £20,000 (assessed at £23,000 less £3,000 for an adjourned hearing), not to be enforced without leave of the Tribunal. Appeals were dismissed.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No conflict between current clients
• Honour professional undertakings

Aggravating factors:

• Express finding of dishonesty (Twinsectra objective and subjective test satisfied)
• Deliberate breach of undertaking, not an innocent mistake as claimed
• Damaged credibility - failed to disclose the alleged 'mistake' to Barnes Coleman, Birkett Long or the SRA until proceedings
• Client CW was an elderly, ill, longstanding client and friend whose instructions were countermanded
• Significant harm to the reputation of the profession

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary findings and long career since admission in 1977
• Prompt admission of allegations 1.1 and 1.3 and full cooperation with the SRA
• No personal financial benefit obtained; beneficial interest remained with the client's estate
• Took CPD courses to address knowledge gap after the events
• Positive character testimonials from fellow solicitors and a former District Judge