Decision record
Antony Paul Raiwa
JurisdictionEngland & Wales
BodySolicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT)
Professionsolicitor
Case number9840/2007
Date01/01/2007
OutcomeStrike off
Allegation / charges
Breaches, Failures, Others
Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision
SanctionStrike Off
CostsGBP 4,605
Dishonesty foundYes
Antony Paul Raiwa, a personal injury solicitor employed by Angel & Co, made misleading verbal and written statements to his employers and clients across seven client matters, falsely claiming files had been sent to law cost draftsmen, making false time-recording entries, and instructing secretaries to prepare backdated/dummy letters and attendance notes. He was dismissed for gross misconduct in March 2006. The Tribunal, applying Twinsectra, found his conduct dishonest and that all allegations were proven. He did not attend. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £4,605.10.
Duties found breached:
- No improper communication with the court
- Honesty
- Not mislead third parties or opponents
- No conflict between current clients
- Competence
- Good faith and courtesy to colleagues
Aggravating factors:
- Systemic course of behaviour over a period of time involving multiple client matters
- Instructing secretaries to type backdated/dummy correspondence, tempting them to behave inappropriately
- Made false time recording entries designed to mislead employers
- Dismissed by employer for gross misconduct
- Failed to correct mistake for Mr SF, leaving client unaware for a year