Colin Michael Arthur Bishop

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

The Respondent, a solicitor, acted for a client (RG) in two attempted property sales in breach of a Proceeds of Crime Act Restraint Order, despite having been notified of the Order by police. The Tribunal found beyond reasonable doubt that he had knowledge of the Order and breached Rules 1.02 and 1.06 of the SCC, acting with a lack of integrity and damaging the reputation of the profession. Applying the Twinsectra test, the Tribunal found the Respondent had acted dishonestly, including denying knowledge of the Order to police to conceal his breach. Finding no exceptional circumstances (per Sharma), the Tribunal ordered he be struck off the Roll and pay costs of £15,000, not to be enforced without leave of the Tribunal given his IVA and financial situation.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• No acting against a former client
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Assisted client in breaching a court Restraint Order, a criminal offence that would allow client to benefit from proceeds of crime
• Denied knowledge of the Restraint Order to police when a copy was on his file, attempting to conceal his breach
• Previous appearance before the Tribunal on 17 May 2011
• Failure as an officer of the court to comply with a court order

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent in financial difficulties, having entered into an IVA
• Age 64 and deprived of livelihood