Victor Ikechukwu Jibuike

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

Respondent, an assistant solicitor at Powell and Co, acted for clients in 31 matters unknown to the firm, retaining fees (some £7,025-£8,725) paid to him personally, using the firm's letterhead but not recording the matters in firm systems. He claimed it was accepted firm practice to keep fees, which the Tribunal rejected based on partner Mr Malone's evidence. Applying Twinsectra, the Tribunal found dishonesty proven and struck him off, ordering £6,000 costs. Respondent did not attend and offered no mitigation.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• No improper use of client money
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Concealed 31 client matters from firm
• Payments taken in cash or cheques made payable personally to him
• Used firm's letterhead while retaining fees personally
• One invoice bore a false invoice number
• Only accounted for moneys after investigation commenced