Peter Arthur ROWELL

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

Mr Rowell practised as a sole practitioner without a valid practising certificate after 30 June 2009, falsely certified to Legal Aid Queensland that he held an unrestricted certificate, failed to tell a client (Ms Cuddeford) of a court hearing, and consented to orders on her behalf without instructions. He did not appear or respond in the proceedings. QCAT found all four charges amounted to professional misconduct, concluded he was not a fit and proper person to practise, and ordered his name removed from the local roll (with a recommendation the same occur in NSW). Although the tribunal found his claims not credible and misrepresentations to QLS/LAQ, it did not make an express finding of dishonesty. He was ordered to pay $2,000 costs and $7,500 compensation to Ms Cuddeford.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Personal probity and fitness to practise
• No conflict between current clients
• Hold a current practising certificate

Aggravating factors:

• Knowingly misrepresented to QLS and LAQ that he was entitled to practise
• Falsely claimed to have informed client of hearing date
• Ceased responding to QLS investigation and closed practice without notice
• Failed to respond to or appear in the discipline proceedings
• Conduct constituted an admission he no longer intended to adhere to professional standards