(unnamed respondent)

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

This was an application by solicitor Matthew Podger to remove conditions imposed by the SDT in June 2020 (which restricted him from acting as COLP, COFA or MLRO and required disclosure to employers). The original conditions and one-year suspension arose from his non-disclosure of a second police caution for cocaine possession; a dishonesty allegation had been withdrawn in a revised Agreed Outcome. The SRA adopted a neutral position. The Tribunal, satisfied of his rehabilitation, remorse, negative drug tests, employer support and the significant passage of time, found the conditions no longer served to protect the public or the profession's reputation and granted removal. The Applicant was ordered to pay agreed costs of £2,332.80.

Mitigating factors:

• Significant passage of time since original conditions imposed
• Sustained rehabilitation and genuine remorse
• Series of negative drug tests
• Positive character references and full employer support
• Full compliance with existing conditions
• Positive occupational health assessments