Justin Johnson

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

Justin Johnson, a locum solicitor at Blakemores, was found to have breached the Solicitors Accounts Rules by withdrawing costs from client account without written notification, to have raised bills of costs he knew or ought to have known could not be justified (substantial overbilling with roughly 25% cancelled by credit notes), and to have failed to comply with the Costs Information and Client Care Code. He admitted overbilling to appear to be doing more valuable work for the firm rather than for personal gain. Dishonesty was expressly not alleged or found. The Tribunal, concerned about protecting the public and his fitness to practise, suspended him indefinitely and ordered him to pay costs of £7,933.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Fair, reasonable and lawful fees

Aggravating factors:

• Substantial overcharging over a protracted period
• Numerous bills cancelled by credit notes (approx 25% of £318,963.54 billed cancelled)
• Block time recording and impossible hours claimed (111.8 hours over four days, 72 hours on one day)
• Artificially created appearance of doing more/greater value work to enhance standing with partners

Mitigating factors:

• No dishonesty alleged or found
• Previously unblemished record
• Health difficulties including acute depression and a breakdown
• Matrimonial difficulties
• Excessive workload and pressure at the firm
• Admitted allegations in the main
• Pro bono and voluntary work; positive testimonial
• No professional negligence claims