Robert Ian Corteen

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

The respondent, admitted in 1985, was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of ten counts of procuring the execution of a valuable security by deception in connection with a mortgage fraud masterminded by a co-defendant, and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. Although he did not profit and was not initially dishonest, he became aware of the fraud and acquiesced in it. The Tribunal found the allegation of conduct unbefitting a solicitor substantiated, ordered him struck off the Roll, and ordered him to pay costs of £980.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations

Aggravating factors:

• Serious criminal offences involving dishonesty
• Damaged the good name of the solicitors' profession
• Acted for both vendor and purchaser where both were fictitious
• Loss to building societies of approximately £2.7 million

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent profited in no way from the matter
• Error described as dishonest misjudgement in helping maintain a client in business
• Jury found he was not initially a dishonest man recruited to assist co-defendants