Stephen David Baron

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

The Respondent, a solicitor admitted in 1982, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court on five counts of conspiracy to defraud relating to mortgage fraud worth £898,000, and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment; his appeal was dismissed. He sought an adjournment on grounds of ill-health and a pending Criminal Cases Review Commission application, which the Tribunal refused as unsupported by adequate medical evidence. The Tribunal declined to go behind the conviction and found the allegation that he breached Rules 1.02 and 1.06 SCC substantiated. Given the serious dishonesty offences (the sentencing judge noting the jury found him dishonest), the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £10,000.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Convicted on 5 counts of conspiracy to defraud involving mortgage fraud to the value of £898,000
• Grave breach of trust as a solicitor acting for lenders
• Sentenced to 18 months imprisonment
• Previous disciplinary finding in 2002 (five allegations substantiated, fined £15,000 plus costs)

Mitigating factors:

• Nearly 30 years' qualification as a solicitor
• Family and personal circumstances