Deborah OHara

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

The Respondent, a non-solicitor employed by Ross Coates Solicitors as HR Manager and Operational Director, misled her employer (claiming a work permit application had succeeded when it had been refused), fabricated Home Office letters and emails to deceive her employer and a third party, and deliberately withheld correspondence. She did not attend the hearing or communicate with the SRA or Tribunal but was properly served. The Tribunal found all four allegations proved on the documentation and made a Section 43 order restricting her employment by solicitors, plus costs of £4,700 (reduced from a claimed £5,211). Although the allegations involved fabrication and deception and the firm's referral referenced 'dishonest behaviour,' the Tribunal made no express finding of dishonesty in its decision.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Handle inadvertently received material
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report