Patrick Rowan Forde

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

The respondent, a solicitor admitted in 1975, was convicted at Grimsby Crown Court in May 1995 of conspiracy to defraud and sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for facilitating a mortgage fraud on building societies. The Tribunal found the allegation of conduct unbefitting a solicitor substantiated, noting the offence involved dishonesty. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £1,071.60. The respondent did not attend but indicated he did not wish to remain on the Roll.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations

Aggravating factors:

• Serious offence involving dishonesty
• Crucial role facilitating mortgage fraud on building societies
• Custodial sentence following contested trial
• Considerable damage to reputation of solicitors and public confidence

Mitigating factors:

• No financial gain beyond fees
• Reported the fraud to police, initiating successful investigation
• Worked under unrelenting pressure as busy sole practitioner