Veronica Margaret Hyland

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

The Respondent, a probate solicitor, forged a client's signature on a second Enduring Power of Attorney and created false attendance notes and correspondence to obtain control of a vulnerable client's affairs, stealing over £90,000 from the client and also stealing from her employer by substituting her details as payee on cheques. She was convicted at Stafford Crown Court on four counts of theft, eleven counts of fraud by abuse of position and one count of using a false instrument, sentenced to 28 months imprisonment and ordered to pay £38,500 compensation. The Tribunal found both allegations proved and admitted, made an express finding of dishonesty, and struck her off the Roll, ordering costs of £9,571.87.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Pre-meditated fraud on a vulnerable and incapacitated client
• Serious breach of trust as a solicitor
• Theft from both clients and employer
• Criminal conviction resulting in 28 months imprisonment
• Considerable adverse publicity locally and nationally
• Instructed secretary to shred documents to conceal wrongdoing

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted all allegations
• Requested matter be dealt with in her absence while serving custodial sentence