Patrick Rowan Forde

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

Patrick Rowan Forde, admitted 1975, was convicted on indictment of conspiracy to defraud at Grimsby Crown Court on 24 May 1995 and sentenced to 30 months imprisonment on 17 July 1995. He had facilitated a mortgage fraud against building societies while employed as an assistant solicitor, though he made no personal financial gain beyond fees. The Tribunal found the allegation of conduct unbefitting a solicitor substantiated, noting a serious offence involving dishonesty and a custodial sentence. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £1,071.60. The respondent did not appear and did not dispute the facts, stating he did not wish to remain on the Roll.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations

Aggravating factors:

• Conviction of a serious offence involving dishonesty following a contested trial
• Custodial sentence of 30 months
• Role was crucial in facilitating the mortgage fraud
• Considerable damage to reputation of and public confidence in solicitors

Mitigating factors:

• No personal financial gain beyond fees
• Respondent reported the situation to the police, initiating the successful investigation
• Worked under unrelenting pressure as a sole practitioner during rapid expansion of practice