Stewart Paul Arnold

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

Stewart Paul Arnold, a former solicitor employed at Kennard Wells, acted in back-to-back conveyancing transactions with suspicious characteristics (inflated prices, no purchaser contributions, undisclosed vendor-purchaser links), failed to disclose material facts to lender clients, and failed to ensure prompt registration of lenders' charges. He admitted all allegations including recklessness; the SRA did not pursue the alternative dishonesty allegation and the Tribunal made no finding of dishonesty. Given his catalogue of prior misconduct, the Tribunal made an order under s47(2)(g) prohibiting restoration of his name to the Roll except by Tribunal order, declined to impose a fine as punitive given his financial circumstances, and ordered him to pay costs of £30,000.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Disclose material information to client
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Four previous appearances before the Tribunal (1991, 2003, 2005, 2008), including a three-year suspension in 2008
• Misconduct bore disturbing similarities to previous defaults
• Circumvented supervision conditions imposed on his practising certificate
• Total disregard for the Solicitors' Code of Conduct and CML Handbook
• Serious conduct diminishing public trust in the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted all allegations
• Claimed he was pressured and manipulated by his client Mr GG
• Received no financial benefit or inducement
• Expressed remorse and apologised
• Personal and family tragedies