Stephen Richard Picken

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

The respondent, a solicitor admitted in 1995, falsely attested and certified execution and identification documents for loans/mortgages, assisting his client in defrauding a third party. He was convicted of false declarations and sentenced to six months imprisonment (suspended). The Tribunal found professional misconduct and that his conduct showed a lack of honesty and integrity, rendering him not fit to practise. Despite mitigating factors, the Tribunal recommended his name be removed from the local roll and ordered him to pay the Commissioner's costs on the standard basis.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Self-report to the regulator
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Criminal conduct committed in the course of legal practice
• Conduct assisted his client in defrauding a third party

Mitigating factors:

• Did not personally profit from the fraudulent conduct
• Relied on honesty of his client
• Co-operated with police investigations
• Early plea of guilty
• Assisted Ms Issa's civil recovery by giving evidence at trial
• Under considerable stress caring for aged and unwell wife
• Over 40 years of practice with no prior disciplinary or criminal matters
• Aged 75
• Eventually co-operated with the discipline process and consented to removal