Findings of fact made by sentencing judges and appellate courts in criminal proceedings are not admissible in disciplinary proceedings to prove the underlying facts, even where no objection is taken; practitioners bringing disciplinary applications should serve notices to admit facts. Where a solicitor is convicted of a grave offence involving deliberate dishonesty in the practice of law, exceptional circumstances are required before any sanction other than removal from the Roll can be contemplated. Persistent maintenance of innocence after conviction, without evidence of extenuating circumstances, precludes reliance on contrition or rehabilitation.
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