E D Hunter

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

Eric Donald Hunter, a probate/trust solicitor and partner at Blythe Liggins, faced allegations of transferring funds from client to office account, preparing excessive bills of costs, failing to send bills to entitled parties, and preparing round sum bills. He admitted allegations 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4 but denied 1.2 and the dishonesty allegation. An SRA forensic investigation and a costs draftsman (Nicholas Shelley) found significant overcharging across five probate files. The Tribunal dismissed the Respondent's no-case-to-answer application and, applying the Twinsectra test, found the excessive billing on probate matters to be dishonest, noting the Respondent could not justify or explain the bills and rendered substantial bills where little work had been done. Finding the case not exceptional under Salsbury and Sharma, the Tribunal struck the Respondent off the Roll and ordered agreed costs of £35,000. His subsequent appeal to the High Court was withdrawn.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper communication with the court
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Bills rendered over a substantial period of time
• Many bills rendered where the Respondent was the Sole Executor
• Client approval sought only retrospectively, sometimes years later
• Significant overcharging across multiple files (e.g. overcharge exceeding £10,000 on MAH Deceased and GH Deceased)
• Inconsistent evidence and inability to provide calculations for the bills

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters
• Repayment to clients of overcharged amounts with interest from his own capital
• Early admission regarding the MAH Deceased file
• Numerous glowing character references
• Approaching retirement age (65)
• No client complaints