Daniel Thomas Churchman

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

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found all five allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor substantiated against Daniel Thomas Churchman. After his firm was intervened in and his practising certificate suspended in April 2000, he continued to act as a solicitor without a current practising certificate, failed to respond to Law Society correspondence and client communications, and failed to comply with an Adjudicator's compensation award. No dishonesty was alleged or found. Given his prior disciplinary history (1999 reprimand/fine and a 2002 £3,000 fine) and despite noting his ill health, the Tribunal concluded he was not fit to be a solicitor and struck him off the Roll, ordering him to pay costs subject to detailed assessment. The Tribunal also ordered that the Adjudicator's compensation direction (£1,500 to Mr A and £300 to Mrs D) be enforceable as a High Court order.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• Hold a current practising certificate

Aggravating factors:

• Third appearance before the Tribunal; prior disciplinary history including a 1999 fine and a 2002 fine of £3,000
• Continued to undertake solicitor's work while suspended and without a practising certificate, described by the Tribunal as very grave
• Had previously been warned not to expect lenient treatment if he repeated his offences
• Complete disregard for an important regulatory requirement

Mitigating factors:

• Suffered clinical depression/mental illness affecting his ability to deal with correspondence
• Had enjoyed a degree of recovery
• Significant delay in proceedings being listed