Peter Hamilton Rollin

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

The Respondent, admitted in 1969, practised as a sole practitioner from 2004 to December 2016 without SRA authorisation/registration and without professional indemnity insurance, and failed to keep proper accounting records including client account reconciliations. The matter was dealt with on the papers by way of an agreed outcome. The Tribunal found an admitted lack of integrity over 12 years; dishonesty was expressly not alleged. The Tribunal approved the striking off of the Respondent from the Roll of Solicitors and ordered him to pay costs of £5,000.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No conflict between current clients
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Hold a current practising certificate
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Misconduct involving lack of integrity extended over 12 years
• Deliberate decision not to take out indemnity insurance, partly financially motivated
• Respondent knew or ought to have known conduct breached obligations to protect the public and profession
• Extensive experience as a solicitor, having previously run a sole practice

Mitigating factors:

• Effectively admitted all allegations in his Answer
• Cooperated with the SRA investigation
• No client ever intimated a claim against him or his firm
• Belief (though mistaken) that he was authorised via personal practising certificate
• Had very few live clients at any one time