Gregory Stuart Saunders

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

Gregory Stuart Saunders, an 18-year qualified solicitor at Clarke Willmott LLP, admitted three allegations including making untrue and misleading statements to two clients and misappropriating £20,681.09 of client money from Client C's ledger to pay a third firm in an unrelated matter without consent. He admitted acting dishonestly. The Tribunal, dealing with the matter on the papers via an Agreed Outcome, found the admissions properly made, found no exceptional circumstances, and ordered that he be struck off the Roll and pay agreed costs of £4,600.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty admitted
• Sustained course of dishonest conduct over a lengthy period
• Misappropriation of client money
• Solicitor of 18 years' qualification in position of trust
• Conduct harmed public confidence in the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Self-reported to the SRA
• Previously unblemished career
• Personal and professional pressures/health difficulties at the time
• Genuine remorse
• Conduct out of character