(unnamed respondent)

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

Charles James Ete, struck off the Roll in June 2021 following findings including dishonesty (knowingly misleading his insurers) and serious account/supervision breaches, applied in 2025 for restoration to the Roll. The Tribunal found the application premature (within six years of strike off), unsupported by satisfactory evidence of rehabilitation through legal employment or training, and noted a lack of insight, unpaid SRA costs, and weak character/employment evidence. Applying Bolton and Kaberry, the Tribunal held that restoration would not protect the public or maintain confidence in the profession, and REFUSED the application, ordering the Applicant to pay costs of £3,000.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Application premature - within six years of strike off (struck off 3 June 2021)
• No evidence of substantial legal employment demonstrating trust and confidence since strike off
• Limited training and insufficient reflective/focused training demonstrating insight
• Lack of curiosity in understanding the client account shortfall
• Outstanding SRA costs from 2021 proceedings remained wholly unpaid with no repayment efforts
• Underlying misconduct of utmost gravity including a finding of dishonesty

Mitigating factors:

• Character references provided in support
• No objection raised following publication of advertisements
• Some evidence of insight
• Applicant now accepted the Tribunal and High Court findings
• Applicant impecunious