Derek George Duncan Heys Thompson

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

The Respondent, a solicitor admitted in 1978 and partner at Widdows Mason, wrongly withdrew client monies belonging to a minor (B) to make payments to other clients (H and J) to cover his own errors, misleadingly described these payments on ledgers, and falsely claimed to have secured payment from a client's former employer. He also retrospectively created and substituted a file note to obstruct a client complaint by Mr and Mrs H, misleading the firm's Client Services Manager. He self-reported and admitted all three allegations and dishonesty (Twinsectra tests met). The Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £3,000.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Misused client funds belonging to a minor (B)
• Created a retrospective file note and concealed the alteration during a client complaint investigation
• Misled the firm and caused misleading information to be relayed to complainant clients

Mitigating factors:

• Self-reported the breaches to the SRA
• Admitted all allegations including dishonesty
• Appreciated the seriousness of his conduct and accepted consequences
• Acted under considerable stress and felt isolated following firm merger