Robert Warren Heatley

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

Robert Warren Heatley, an assistant solicitor at Redferns, misappropriated £16,250 of client money from 27 clients, failing to pay it into client account and manipulating accounting records (including creating false cash account statements and teeming and lading). He admitted dishonesty during interview and cited personal problems, drink, drugs and gambling. He did not attend the hearing. The Tribunal found all three allegations proved beyond reasonable doubt and made an express finding of dishonesty applying the Twinsectra test. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £7,651.07, not to be enforced without leave given his likely impecuniosity.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Misappropriation of £16,250 of client money from 27 clients for own purposes
• Manipulation of accounting records including teeming and lading
• Failure to cooperate with the SRA investigation