Matthew Goldborough

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

Matthew Goldborough, a solicitor admitted in 2005, admitted three allegations of misconduct including dishonesty. Over 2017-2022 he requested and received client money into his personal bank account and in cash, failing to pay it into client accounts or return it, and accepted instructions and funds for legal work he never carried out. He also dishonestly failed to disclose clients to Julia & Rana Solicitors and to maintain case records, intending gain for himself or loss to the firm, using the firm's stamp on receipts and a personal email to conceal the work. The Tribunal, on an Agreed Outcome dealt with on the papers, found the admissions properly made and, given the dishonesty and absence of exceptional circumstances, ordered him struck off the Roll and to pay £1,000 costs.

Duties found breached:

• Competence
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Segregate client money

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct was dishonest
• Issued receipts with the firm's stamp knowing money had not been received by the firm
• Directed clients to pay in cash and into his personal bank account to conceal the work from the firm
• Submitted client applications to the Home Office from his personal email to avoid alerting the firm
• Misconduct over a lengthy period (2017-2022) involving multiple clients
• Clients suffered harm, including a client whose visa application opportunity was lost

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted all allegations including dishonesty
• Retired from the profession and did not renew his practising certificate
• Made some repayments to clients (e.g. Client C reimbursed; willing to reimburse Client A)
• Client D's application was ultimately successful; took a pragmatic approach during the pandemic