James Vernon Colhoun

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

James Vernon Colhoun, a senior partner solicitor, was convicted at Leicester Crown Court on 23 March 2007 of perverting the course of justice (relating to backdating of a statutory declaration) and sentenced to nine months imprisonment. He admitted the allegation of conduct unbefitting a solicitor. Although the offence involved perverting the course of justice, the Tribunal made no express finding of dishonesty in its findings. The Tribunal found he had fallen far below professional standards and brought the profession into disrepute, ordering him struck off the Roll and to pay costs of £499.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage

Aggravating factors:

• Criminal conviction resulting in nine months custodial sentence
• Long and estimable service to the profession meant he knew the seriousness of his conduct
• Damaged the reputation of the profession in the eyes of clients and the public

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted and accepted the allegations
• Cooperation throughout and did not challenge costs
• Offered to withdraw name voluntarily from the Roll