Robert Stevens

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

Robert Stevens, a non-solicitor paralegal at Coles Miller Solicitors (employed Dec 2003–Aug 2004), misled clients and his employer about the progress of conveyancing matters, forged a fee earner's signature on a Certificate of Title, and signed a mortgage deed box reserved for a qualified solicitor/legal executive. He resigned before internal disciplinary proceedings and did not respond to the Law Society. The Tribunal, satisfied on the documentary evidence in his absence, found his conduct made it undesirable for him to be employed by a solicitor and made a Section 43 order, ordering him to pay costs of £3,995.03. The Tribunal did not make an express finding of dishonesty.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Safeguard documents and limit liens