Stephen Kojo Baidoe-Ansah

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

The First Respondent, Stephen Kojo Baidoe-Ansah, faced 19 allegations including conflicts of interest, failing to account to a client, misleading statements to a client, the SRA and an insurer, numerous breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Rules, and breaches of the Code of Conduct arising from his convictions under the Fraud Act 2006 (6 months imprisonment plus a 3-year Serious Crime Prevention Order). He did not attend the hearing. The Tribunal found all allegations against him substantiated, held he had shown blatant disregard of the rules, was hopelessly conflicted and not fit to practise, and struck him off the Roll, ordering him to pay £32,212.38 in costs (Applicant had sought £48,318.58), with several liability shared with the Second Respondent. The findings and sanction regarding the Second Respondent were redacted following a successful appeal. No express finding of dishonesty was recorded in the findings, though fraud convictions were noted.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Act in the client's best interests
• Complaints procedure and handling
• No conflict between current clients
• Handle inadvertently received material
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Convictions for two offences involving fraud and one offence of transferring property to retain proceeds of criminal conduct, resulting in 6 months imprisonment and a Serious Crime Prevention Order
• Blatant disregard of simple rules solicitors must comply with
• Clients suffered loss and the reputation of the profession was damaged
• Fictitious property transaction using mortgage funds
• Misleading clients, the SRA and the professional indemnity insurer