Janet Lefton

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

Janet Lefton, a non-practising solicitor, was convicted at Cardiff Crown Court of perverting the course of public justice and perjury after writing false statements to police on behalf of her son and giving perjured evidence in the Magistrates Court. She was sentenced to three months imprisonment (reduced to six weeks on appeal). The Tribunal found both allegations of conduct unbefitting a solicitor substantiated. Although the criminal offences involved deliberate lies, the Tribunal made no express finding of dishonesty. She was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £1,555.12.

Duties found breached:

• Cease acting on client perjury or disobedience
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate lies written to police on behalf of her son
• Compounded matters by giving perjured evidence on oath before magistrates

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters
• Regret and apology expressed (though she accepted no mitigation was available)