Christopher Michael Still

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

Christopher Michael Still, a sole practitioner admitted in 1970, was found guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor for failing to keep proper accounts, improper drawings from client account, and using clients' funds for other clients and for his own purposes. He admitted making false entries and improper transfers, with a minimum client account shortage of about £152,767.58. The Tribunal found dishonesty (respondent admitted taking clients' money) and, given a prior 1993 disciplinary finding, ordered him struck off the Roll and to pay costs of £2,917.87.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Minimum cash shortage on client account of approximately £152,767.58
• Subject of police investigation and pending criminal proceedings
• Previous disciplinary finding in 1993 with £1,000 fine for breaches of Rules 7 and 8
• Numerous claims made to Compensation Fund (28 applications, pending claims of £432,725.94)

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted all allegations
• Surrendered himself to police
• Offered to assist the Law Society with its investigations