Stephen Paul Kettlewell

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

Stephen Paul Kettlewell, a solicitor, undertook reserved legal activities (issuing European Orders for Payment and acting as advocate for client KL) through an unauthorised body/when not authorised. He was found to have dishonestly told the SRA he had not handled client money or been paid, when he had received £5,000 plus VAT from KL. He then represented KL at a committal hearing after assuring the SRA he would not repeat such conduct, misleading both Court and regulator. He also took a £65,000 loan from KL, an anxious criminal client, on the pretext of avoiding arrest, and never repaid it. The Tribunal proceeded in his absence after refusing his late adjournment application. All five allegations were proved beyond reasonable doubt, with an express finding of dishonesty under Twinsectra. Given a prior 2008 dishonesty finding and no mitigation, he was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £22,500.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Act only on proper, lawful instructions
• No improper use of client money
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty
• Deliberate, calculated and repeated misconduct over a period of time
• Exploitation of vulnerable client KL who faced serious criminal charges
• Financial harm to KL (£65,000 loan not repaid) and avoidable anxiety
• Misled both the Court as to his status and the SRA as to his intentions
• Previous disciplinary finding of dishonesty in 2008 (fined £5,000)
• Motivation was personal financial gain
• High culpability