Rosemary Joan Fortune

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

Respondent solicitor failed to disclose two 1988 spent convictions (theft of foodstuffs and failing to pay a taxi fare) when enrolling as a student in 1998 and when applying for admission to the Roll in 2002, in breach of Rule 1. The Law Society did not allege dishonesty. The Tribunal found the allegations substantiated based on her admissions and, given the seriousness and her absence, imposed an indefinite suspension leaving open the possibility of a future explanation, plus costs of £1,700.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court

Aggravating factors:

• Seriousness of misleading the regulator on two separate occasions
• Failure to disclose known spent convictions despite clear instructions on forms

Mitigating factors:

• No dishonesty alleged
• Very unusual and difficult personal circumstances at time of convictions
• Needed medical treatment for anxiety arising from these matters
• Cooperation through admissions of convictions