John Griffiths - Andrew Cross

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

Griffiths, a sole practitioner solicitor, faced allegations arising from a client account shortage of £16,871.13, improper payments, misappropriation and failure to supervise his clerk (and son-in-law) Mr Cross. Griffiths admitted the accounts breaches largely in his capacity as principal and admitted altering a witness statement after it had been witnessed by a police officer. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated and, describing the alteration of the witnessed statement as 'entirely reprehensible', struck Griffiths off the Roll. Mr Cross, who admitted taking cash from the firm but denied other matters, was made subject to a section 43 order. Both were ordered to pay £1,020.78 costs jointly and severally. No express finding of dishonesty was recorded.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• No improper use of client money
• Supervise staff and delegated work
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Amended/altered a witness statement after it had been witnessed and signed by a senior police officer
• Minimum cash shortage of £16,871.13 on client account
• False entries in the books of account
• Made a payment on behalf of a client knowing insufficient funds were held

Mitigating factors:

• Rectified the cash shortage during inspection by transferring private funds into client account
• Admitted the accounts breaches, at least on a technical basis
• Contended his son-in-law (Mr Cross) was the true beneficiary of improper withdrawals
• Had left practice and did not wish to return to law