Robert Napier Stober

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

The Respondent, a former solicitor admitted in 1965 and removed from the Roll in June 2005, was convicted in May 2007 of four counts of conspiracy to defraud committed while practising as a partner at Clarke & Son between 1996 and 2002, involving mortgage fraud (failures to declare pre-existing mortgages, nominee purchasers, and misrepresented incomes/values). He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment concurrent. He did not attend the Tribunal but consented to the matter proceeding in his absence. The Tribunal found the case proved, holding the conviction itself justified an order controlling restoration. The Tribunal found he had compromised his independence and assisted clients to defraud lenders, but made no express finding of dishonesty. It ordered that he not be restored to the Roll without the Tribunal's consent and pay costs of £884.85.

Duties found breached:

• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Criminal conviction for four counts of conspiracy to defraud
• Misconduct committed while a practising solicitor and in a position of trust
• Offences committed over an extended period (1996-2002)
• Compromised his independence and assisted clients/others to defraud lenders

Mitigating factors:

• Glowing references; described in affectionate and praiseworthy terms by colleagues
• Expressed genuine remorse
• Aged 68 and in poor health, having suffered a heart attack partly as a result of the investigations
• Not duped but persuaded by clients
• Devastating impact of sentence on his family