Christopher William Edwin Greenman

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

The Respondent, senior partner at Dews Witcomb Solicitors, had conduct of administering the Estate of Mrs DMK. Despite a client care letter stating fees would be 3% of the gross estate value (max £11,125.97), he raised four bills totalling £90,000 (inclusive of VAT) and transferred those sums from client account without sending bills to the executor, amounting to a 574% overcharge and misappropriation of client funds. The Tribunal found allegations 1.1 and 1.2 proved beyond reasonable doubt, along with express dishonesty under the Twinsectra test. Two allegations (1.3 and 1.4) were withdrawn. The Respondent did not attend. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay £10,000 costs (reduced from £14,286.30).

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Honesty
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Motivated by personal self-interest and financial gain
• Conduct was planned, deliberate, calculated and repeated over a 13-month period
• Breach of considerable trust placed in him by clients
• Took advantage of the fact the residual beneficiary was a charity
• Attempted to conceal wrongdoing via the bills and the 21 September 2011 letter
• No insight - described proceedings as 'frivolous'
• Experienced solicitor who knew the requirements

Mitigating factors:

• Previously unblemished record (no prior disciplinary matters)