Michael J E Clark

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

Michael J E Clark, a non-solicitor trainee legal executive formerly employed by Attwater and Liell, was the subject of a Law Society application for a Section 43 Order. Only allegation (c) - improperly witnessing signatures where signatories had not signed in his presence - was considered and substantiated, the Respondent having admitted it and agreed to the Order. The Tribunal made the Section 43 Order and ordered the Respondent to pay costs of £3,612.22. No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent admitted allegation (c) and agreed to the Section 43 Order
• Apologised and cooperated with the Law Society
• Young (24-year-old) trainee legal executive
• Described an office practice of staff being called upon to sign mortgage deeds, which he disagreed with but felt obliged to follow
• Limited income and ability to pay costs