Peter Arthur ROWELL

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

Peter Arthur Rowell, admitted in 2002, practised as a sole practitioner without holding any valid practising certificate after 30 June 2009, and falsely certified to Legal Aid Queensland that he held an unrestricted certificate. He also failed to inform his client Ms Cuddeford of a court hearing and consented to orders on her behalf without instructions. All four charges were found to constitute professional misconduct. QCAT found he was not a fit and proper person to practise, ordered his name removed from the Queensland roll and recommended removal from the NSW roll, ordered him to pay $2,000 costs and $7,500 compensation to Ms Cuddeford. Although the tribunal found he knowingly misrepresented his status and falsely claimed to have informed his client, it did not make an express finding of dishonesty.

Duties found breached:

• Personal probity and fitness to practise
• No conflict between current clients
• Hold a current practising certificate
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Knowingly misrepresented to QLS and LAQ that he was entitled to practise
• Falsely claimed to have informed client of the hearing date when evidence showed otherwise
• Ceased responding to QLS investigations and closed practice without notifying anyone
• Failed to respond to or appear in the discipline proceedings
• Conduct amounting to an admission that he no longer intends to adhere to professional standards