DEAN RICHARD LOVE

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

WA State Administrative Tribunal found legal practitioner Dean Richard Love guilty of professional misconduct for creating a deceptive website mimicking Legal Aid WA to harvest applicants' details for his own benefit, and for intentionally making false representations and fabricating information in a legal aid application submitted on behalf of Ms P who had not authorised him. The Tribunal found his conduct disgraceful and dishonourable, that he intentionally deceived and made false representations, and that he was not a fit and proper person to remain a legal practitioner. It transmitted a report to the Supreme Court (full bench) recommending removal from the roll, and ordered him to pay costs of $5,500 within 30 days.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Prior findings of unsatisfactory professional conduct on three separate occasions
• Lack of remorse - described conduct only as 'stupid'
• Intentional deception of a publicly funded legal aid system
• Intent to deprive other panel practitioners of work in his own interest
• Experienced practitioner of 13 years
• Continued failure to appreciate required standards of conduct

Mitigating factors:

• Consented to findings of professional misconduct / early admission
• Completed four ethics courses voluntarily
• Financial hardship following ceasing practice
• Positive character references (given little weight)
• Short duration of conduct and prompt removal of website when raised