The Applicant alleged that Mrs Simpson had given misleading information to Client A on three separate occasions by informing Client A that an expert report had not been received when Mrs Simpson knew that it had been. In an internal investigation conducted by the Firm, Mrs Simpson stated that she had lied to client in order to buy herself some time. Mrs Simpson admitted the allegation in her Answer, including that her conduct had been dishonest. That admission was repeated in the proceedings. The Tribunal found the allegation proved on the evidence. The Tribunal’s reasoning can be found below.

Given that nature and seriousness of the misconduct, the Tribunal found that the only reasonable and proportionate sanction was to strike Mrs Simpson off the Roll of Solicitors. The Tribunal did not find that there were any exceptional circumstances such that a lesser sanction could be imposed. The Tribunal’s reasoning can be found below.