Charles Michael Stevens

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

Charles Michael Stevens, a solicitor acting for the buyer in a c.£6.5m property purchase, gave misleading information to the seller's solicitor that a £650,000 deposit was received/would be transferred when he knew he had not received it, failed to perform the associated undertaking, and later attempted to prevent reporting to the SRA by conditioning a settlement on no regulatory report. The dishonesty allegation (Principle 4) was withdrawn; recklessness was admitted and found. The Tribunal found serious lack of integrity coupled with high-order recklessness across two occasions. Despite mitigation, the seriousness required striking off. No order for costs was made (costs had been agreed at £25,000) due to the Respondent's impecuniosity, applying Barnes v SRA.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• Disclose adverse law to the court
• Integrity
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Diligence and timeliness
• Honour professional undertakings

Aggravating factors:

• Recklessness of a high order in making misrepresentation
• Series of connected failures rather than isolated incident, showing a pattern of behaviour
• Planned and considered attempt to prevent reporting (not spontaneous)
• Failed to self-report and actively sought to prevent reporting, hiding behind client
• Knew or ought to have known conduct breached obligations to protect public and profession
• Very high level of harm

Mitigating factors:

• Unblemished regulatory history
• Genuine insight and remorse, sincere apology
• Full cooperation with SRA investigation and Tribunal
• Four positive character references
• Personal difficulties (grandmother's terminal illness) affecting judgment
• Serious health issues and precarious financial position