GEOFFREY PAUL DUTTON

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

Perth solicitor Geoffrey Paul Dutton was found by the State Administrative Tribunal of WA to have engaged in professional misconduct across numerous client matters between 2007 and 2012, including expressly dishonest conduct in using trust monies totalling $64,001.55 for his own benefit without authority. Other breaches included failing to deposit trust monies in a general trust account, failing to maintain proper trust accounts and books, failing to provide bills/trust statements, failing to give proper costs and legal advice, misleading a client, and lack of diligence. On admissions and consent, the Tribunal resolved to report to the Full Court of the Supreme Court recommending removal of his name from the roll, and ordered him to pay costs of $3,500.

Duties found breached:

• Full disclosure on ex parte applications
• No improper communication with the court
• Honesty
• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Self-report to the regulator

Aggravating factors:

• Persistent breaches over an extended period (about 2007 to 2012)
• Multiple clients affected across numerous matters
• Dishonest use of trust monies - core breach of solicitor-client trust
• Conduct resulted in judgment being entered against clients due to neglect

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted the statement of facts and contentions
• Consented to being struck off and recognised the seriousness of his conduct and its consequences
• Cooperated in settling the proceeding through mediation