Peter Schilli-Somjen

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

Peter Schilli-Somjen, a sole practitioner admitted in 1980, faced six allegations relating to failure to deliver Accountant's Reports for 2003 and 2004, failure to comply with an Adjudicator's decision, practising without a practising certificate (which had terminated on his bankruptcy on 1 December 2004), practising without indemnity insurance, and failure to respond to Law Society correspondence. He did not appear or make submissions. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated. Noting prior similar findings in 1994 but also personal difficulties and no evidence of dishonesty, the Tribunal suspended him indefinitely from 1 August 2006 and ordered him to pay costs subject to detailed assessment.

Duties found breached:

• Keep client informed and respond promptly
• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Hold a current practising certificate

Aggravating factors:

• Similar allegations (practising without a certificate, failing to pay indemnity contributions, failing to reply to correspondence) substantiated against him in 1994

Mitigating factors:

• Personal difficulties, including nursing his wife who was suffering from cancer
• No evidence of financial irregularity or dishonesty
• The previous 1994 matters were some time ago