Julie Weekes

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

The Respondent, a solicitor employed at Stevens & Sons LLP, forged documents including Letters of Administration and a Grant of Probate to conceal probate work she had not undertaken. She pleaded guilty to seven counts of forgery and one of theft, receiving a 12-month suspended sentence with supervision and unpaid work. The Tribunal found all three allegations proved and, applying Bolton and Sharma, found dishonesty (the mens rea of the offences) with no exceptional circumstances, and struck her off the Roll. She was ordered to pay agreed costs of £1,805.63.

Duties found breached:

• No abuse of process or coercive powers
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Conviction for seven offences of forgery and one offence of theft
• Forged Letters of Administration and a Grant of Probate to cover up work not undertaken
• Offences involving dishonesty

Mitigating factors:

• Full co-operation with the Applicant
• Early admissions
• Genuine remorse and insight into actions
• No personal gain derived from actions
• Pre-existing psychological condition/inability to cope
• Dealt with proceedings in a dignified manner