Decision record
John Blavo
Allegation / charges
Breaches, Failures
Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision
John Blavo, senior partner, director, COLP, COFA and sole shareholder of Blavo & Co Solicitors Ltd, faced allegations that he provided, facilitated, encouraged and participated in the production of falsified documents (client files, medical reports, tribunal decisions) submitted to the Legal Aid Agency during a 2015 compliance audit, in relation to 14 non-existent clients (Allegations 1.1 and 1.2), and falsified documents for Patients 28/29 (Allegation 1.3). Evidence from the Firm's email accounts showed near-identical (approx. 95%) documents copied from genuine patients and altered to relate to fictitious clients. The Tribunal proceeded in his absence. It found all allegations proved, including express findings of dishonesty under the Ivey test, and did not consider the alternative recklessness allegations. The Tribunal found he was motivated by financial gain, that his dishonesty was on an 'industrial scale', and that there were no mitigating features. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £72,676, not enforceable without leave of the Tribunal given his stated impecuniosity (bankruptcy and worldwide freezing order) but potential hidden assets.
Duties found breached:
Aggravating factors:
- Motivated by financial gain (sole shareholder benefiting personally)
- Planned and calculated conduct repeated over a period of time
- Involved third parties to assist in fabricating files and documents
- Breach of trust placed in him by the LAA (public/taxpayer funds)
- Sole control and wholly responsible for the misconduct
- Experienced solicitor who knew his conduct was dishonest
- Dishonesty committed on an 'industrial scale'
- Attempted to conceal wrongdoing and blame 'rogue' employees in civil proceedings
- Falsified official court documents applying court seals/logos
- Abused position of power and authority