Michael Aubrey Gordon

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

Michael Aubrey Gordon, a solicitor admitted in 1977, admitted four allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor arising from a client account shortfall exceeding £45,000. He misused £14,000 of one client's funds for another client and took £31,943.70 of estate rents for his own purposes (school fees), disguising cheques by falsifying payees, stubs and paying-in slips. The Tribunal found express dishonesty sustained over four years with concealment. Despite significant personal mitigation and full repayment, he was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay £5,500 costs.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest conduct sustained over a four-year period (1998-2002)
• Concealment/covering of tracks by falsifying cheque payees and paying-in slips
• Cash shortage on client account exceeding £45,000

Mitigating factors:

• Voluntary disclosure to partner and full and frank admissions to Investigation Officer
• Full repayment of shortfall during inspection with aid of family loans
• Severe personal circumstances including severely dyslexic/hyperactive son's school fees, marital breakdown and first wife's illness
• Previously unblemished record over 20 years and high esteem among clients and colleagues
• Genuine remorse