Sarah Louise Williams

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

Sarah Louise Williams was made bankrupt on 2 January 2020, which automatically suspended her practising certificate under s.15(1) of the Solicitors Act 1974. Despite this, she practised as a locum solicitor at two firms (Duncan Morris Solicitors and Hanne & Co) between January and December 2020, and failed to notify the SRA of her bankruptcy. The Tribunal found both allegations proved, breaching Principles 2 and 5 and Rule 7.6(b). It found a flagrant lack of integrity but made no express finding of dishonesty. The Respondent did not engage with proceedings and did not attend; the Tribunal proceeded in her absence and drew adverse inferences. She was indefinitely suspended (not eligible to practise until bankruptcy discharged) and ordered to pay costs of £13,350.00.

Duties found breached:

• Hold a current practising certificate
• No conflict between current clients
• Not misrepresent regulated status
• Self-report to the regulator

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct was deliberate, calculated or repeated
• Conduct continued over a prolonged period (approximately a year)
• Sought to conceal the bankruptcy by not notifying the SRA
• Knew or ought reasonably to have known practising without authorisation breached obligations to protect public and reputation of profession
• Worked at two firms during the period
• Self-serving motivation to continue practising
• 8 years PQE - experienced solicitor