Stuart Michael Stones

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

The Respondent, a former member of Ratio Law LLP, used the firm's letterhead to send letters of comfort to third parties after he had left the firm and was not authorised to practise or insured. He falsely stated the firm was instructed by clients, and later lied to the firm's solicitor about how many letters existed. The Tribunal, proceeding in his absence, found all four allegations proved beyond reasonable doubt, including express findings of dishonesty (Twinsectra test) on allegations 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £7,487.80.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• No conflict between current clients
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty
• Misconduct was deliberate, planned and repeated over a period of months
• Attempted to conceal wrongdoing by committing further misconduct
• Misled the regulator
• Experienced solicitor operating at partner level
• High culpability and very high harm to the reputation of the profession