Mark Saunders

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

Mark Saunders, a partner at Singleton Winn Saunders practising criminal defence work, knowingly prepared and signed costs claim forms (LF1/AF1) bearing incorrect dates and sent correspondence providing untrue explanations to the LSC/LAA to support late legal aid claims submitted outside the three-month contractual deadline, across 15 files and 19 claims totalling £19,840.30 between November 2011 and January 2015. He admitted all allegations including dishonesty (Bultitude/Twinsectra test). The Tribunal found breaches of Principles 2 and 6 and an express finding of dishonesty. Although the work had been genuinely done and monies were repaid, and despite impressive testimonials, the Tribunal found no exceptional circumstances justifying a lesser sanction (rejecting the proposed restriction order). The Respondent was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay agreed costs of £7,342.30.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty involved
• Deliberate rather than accidental actions on each of five occasions
• Created misleading documents and letters
• Misconduct continued over a period of about three years two months
• Misconduct concealed throughout that period
• Respondent compounded initial deception by repeatedly reiterating false claims (e.g. letters of 20 and 27 February 2013)
• Knew conduct breached obligation to protect reputation of the legal profession

Mitigating factors:

• Made good the financial loss (repaid LAA via Firm)
• Voluntarily self-reported to the SRA
• Provided full information including the Spreadsheet
• Full and frank admissions
• High degree of co-operation with the SRA and LAA
• Genuine insight and remorse
• Previously unblemished career / no prior disciplinary history
• Background of deception by Mr DC weakening Firm's finances
• Strong testimonials from judiciary and legal professionals