Peter Norman Bucknall

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

Sole practitioner Peter Norman Bucknall failed to deliver his Accountant's Report for the financial period ending 30th April 1995 despite extensions of time and a rebuke from the Complaints Bureau requiring submission within 28 days. No report was ever filed. The respondent did not appear. The Tribunal found the allegation substantiated and, unable to condone the continuing breach, ordered indefinite suspension and payment of costs of £2,498.78. The Tribunal invited the Law Society to consider whether he should be permitted to practise as a sole principal. No finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Remained in continuing breach of his obligation to file an Accountant's Report
• No satisfactory explanation offered
• Difficult not to infer accounts were unsatisfactory and probably in a mess

Mitigating factors:

• No claim on the Law Society's Compensation Fund
• No evidence of any dissatisfied clients