Andrew Gibb

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

The Respondent, a sole practitioner, faced 12 allegations relating to conveyancing delays, failure to comply with SRA and Adjudicator directions, poor client care in two probate matters, misleading comments to the SRA and LCS, and non-payment of indemnity insurance premiums. The Tribunal, proceeding in his absence, found all allegations proved to the criminal standard, including two express findings of dishonesty (misleading the SRA about sending a file and falsely telling the LCS a probate application had been made, while withholding the original Will). Applying Twinsectra and citing Sharma, and finding no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £8,328. Although he claimed bankruptcy, he provided no evidence of his means.

Duties found breached:

• Avoid wasting the court's time
• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Act only on proper, lawful instructions
• Handle inadvertently received material
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Competence
• Diligence and timeliness
• Professional indemnity insurance

Aggravating factors:

• Two separate findings of dishonesty
• Conduct caused serious damage to reputation of the profession
• Multiple clients suffered great distress
• Delay and misconduct over an extended period of time
• Concealment of missing original Will by falsely claiming it had been sent to a Probate Registry

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters