The Respondent admitted falsely recording time on four client matters between June and November 2023 while employed as a clinical negligence solicitor at Hudgell Solicitors. The entries recorded work that had not been undertaken, and in one instance the Respondent falsely attributed the absence of a file note to an IT failure. An internal investigation identified approximately 99.9 hours of unsubstantiated time. The Tribunal was satisfied that the Respondent’s admissions were properly made and supported by the evidence.

Although the Tribunal accepted that the Respondent had experienced significant personal and mental health difficulties and had shown insight and remorse, the misconduct involved repeated and deliberate dishonesty over several months. Applying the established principle that dishonesty will ordinarily lead to strike-off unless exceptional circumstances are shown, the Tribunal concluded that the mitigation did not meet that threshold