Peter Alan Cecil Gillis

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

Peter Alan Cecil Gillis, a sole practitioner admitted in 1963, faced allegations of failing to keep proper accounts, deliberately and improperly utilising clients' funds for his own purposes, and failing to pay indemnity contributions/premiums. He retained professional disbursements (counsel's fees, medical reports, experts' fees) in office account for years amid cash flow difficulties. The Tribunal found allegations (a), (f), (g) and (h) substantiated (others not pursued). Applying the Royal Brunei Airlines v Tan test, the Tribunal made an express finding that the respondent had been dishonest. Given his prior disciplinary history (including a 1976 strike off, restoration in 1981, and further findings in 1995 and 1999), he was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs including £6,715.35 for the Investigation Accountant plus applicant's costs subject to detailed assessment.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Professional indemnity insurance

Aggravating factors:

• Extensive prior disciplinary history including a 1976 strike off for misappropriation of clients' monies and false accounting
• Further disciplinary findings in 1995 and 1999 for Accounts Rules breaches
• Retention of professional disbursements in office account over many years (some cheques dating back to 1995)
• Accountants Reports had not disclosed unpaid disbursements retained in office account

Mitigating factors:

• Serious cash flow difficulties following withdrawal of Legal Aid support for personal injury work
• Respondent had personally funded significant sums (approx £220,000) for clients' claims
• No client suffered loss and money did not go into respondent's own pocket
• Serious ill health caused partly by stress
• Community and charity work
• Highly regarded personal injury lawyer with early admissions