Lim Stephen

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

The respondent, a sole proprietor solicitor, misappropriated S$118,063.69 of client money due to Oki Motor Workshop by withholding funds and using them for firm expenses, contrary to his agreement. He pleaded guilty to six charges of criminal breach of trust under s 409 Penal Code (18 charges taken into consideration) and was sentenced to three years and six months' imprisonment. In show cause proceedings, the High Court found he acted with dishonesty in a systematic manner, breaching client trust. With no sufficient mitigating factors and the respondent absent, the court ordered him struck off the roll.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Money misappropriated in a systematic fashion, not a one-off incident
• Large sum involved (S$118,063.69)
• Breach of client's trust
• Convicted and sentenced to three years and six months' imprisonment

Mitigating factors:

• Cooperation with police investigation (deemed insufficient)