David Baynon Crosby

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

David Baynon Crosby, a partner, COLP and COFA at Crosby & Woods, faced three allegations. The Tribunal found all proved (save an unparticularised breach of Code for Firms paragraphs 3.2/3.3). He attempted to mislead the SRA investigation into Client A's Personal Injury Trust by falsely claiming he was not the fee earner and providing five fabricated letters and a false file review memo. He caused/allowed the Firm to withdraw client monies for costs without prior written notification, causing a £39,660 shortage. He also provided misleading information on the Firm's PII proposal form regarding a partner's full-time status and the firm's net worth. Dishonesty was expressly found across the allegations. Culpability was assessed as very high. The Respondent did not attend. The Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £26,595.40 (reduced from the £38,355.40 claimed).

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Multiple findings of dishonesty
• Deliberate, calculated and repeated conduct over a period of time
• Abuse of position as a solicitor with access to client funds
• Fabrication of documents to conceal wrongdoing
• Motivated by desire to avoid regulatory sanction and by financial gain
• Actions were planned
• Experienced solicitor
• Caused financial and emotional harm to clients