Deborah OHara

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

Deborah O'Hara, a non-solicitor employed by Ross Coates Solicitors as HR Manager and Operational Director, was found to have misled her employer about the success of a work permit application (which had actually been refused), fabricated Home Office letters, deliberately withheld correspondence relating to Hays Recruitment, and fabricated emails to deceive a third party regarding recruitment fees. She did not attend or communicate with the SRA or Tribunal. The Tribunal found the allegations proved and made a Section 43 order restricting her employment in solicitors' practices, plus costs of £4,700. Although the internal investigation concerned dishonest behaviour, the Tribunal made no express finding of dishonesty in its decision.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Handle inadvertently received material