Robert Andrew Schofield

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

The Respondent, a former partner of Firth Whitehead Solicitors, provided three solicitor's undertakings to Meridian Bank (later NOL) in early 2004 in connection with bridging loans for property transactions, undertaking to repay £100,000 and £200,000 plus monthly interest. No payments were ever made. NOL obtained a High Court judgment requiring payment of £698,214.02. The Tribunal found all three allegations proved beyond reasonable doubt, rejecting the Respondent's claim that he had been impliedly released from the undertakings. No express finding of dishonesty was made; the finding was of conduct likely to compromise integrity and the profession's repute. The Respondent, who had left the hearing and did not attend, was struck off (per linked Case 11292-2014) and ordered to pay costs of £13,562.88 for this matter.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Honour professional undertakings

Aggravating factors:

• Previous appearance before the Tribunal (Case 10801-2011) for similar undertaking failures, fined £6,000, though those facts post-dated these events
• Gave undertakings guaranteeing borrowings of persons who were not his client
• No steps taken to comply with the undertakings