'Disgraceful' solicitor overcharged estate by 574%
- Category: Private Client
- Date: 11-12-2024
In 2017, solicitor Christopher Greenman was struck off the roll after the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) found he had dishonestly overcharged a deceased client's estate by 574%. Greenman had agreed to a fee of 3% plus VAT, amounting to approximately £11,126, but instead withdrew £90,000—equivalent to 26% of the estate's £370,865 value. citeturn0search1
The SDT determined that the probate was not complex and that Greenman's fees were "manifestly excessive." His actions deprived a charitable beneficiary of its bequest, leading the tribunal to label his conduct as "disgraceful." Consequently, Greenman was struck off and ordered to pay £10,000 in costs. citeturn0search0
This case underscores the importance of ethical billing practices and transparency in legal services, highlighting the severe consequences for solicitors who exploit their fiduciary responsibilities for personal gain.