Roy Stewart PybusAdmitted 1966Application 7958/1999Hearing, 3 February 2000;reasons, 28 March 2000

The SDT imposed penalties totalling 6,000 on the respondent, of 254 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 6XT, who practised as a sole principal, for unbefitting conduct, in that (i) he had failed to deliver to a client (or to his solicitor) all papers and property to which the client was entitled, contrary to principle 12.11 of the Guide to the Professional Conduct of Solicitors (7th ed, 1996); (ii) he had failed to respond promptly to inquiries from the OSS; and (iii) he had failed to comply with a direction of the professional body relating to inadequate professional services.

In November 1993, the SDT had imposed a penalty of 750 on the respondent for unbefitting conduct.

The present allegations were not at the most serious end of the scale.

A penalty of 3,000 was imposed in respect of allegation (i), 1,000 in respect of allegation (ii), and 2,000 in respect of allegation (iii); the direction relating to inadequate professional services should be treated for enforcement purposes as if it had been an order of the High Court.

The respondent was ordered to pay costs (to be assessed).