Richard Jefferies

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

The Respondent, a consultant solicitor working for seven criminal firms, provided legal advice and representation to Client A in criminal proceedings from around September 2021 to December 2022 without doing so through an authorised firm or recognised sole practice. He requested and received client money directly into his personal bank account and in cash without invoices, receipts, retainer or client care letter. On 2 December 2022 he completed an NG Sentence Form for the Court of Appeal falsely stating that Carters Solicitors were acting for Client A when he knew this was untrue, which he admitted was dishonest. He admitted all allegations and breaches. The Tribunal found no exceptional circumstances to justify a lesser sanction and, dealing with the matter on the papers by agreed outcome, ordered him struck off and to pay costs of £22,000.

Duties found breached:

• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No conflict between current clients
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty
• Misconduct that was deliberate and/or repeated
• Respondent knew or ought reasonably to have known the conduct was in material breach of professional obligations
• Misconduct occurred over approximately a year, not isolated
• Provided misleading information to the court and CPS