Duncan Hugh Ranton

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

Duncan Hugh Ranton, an assistant solicitor at Kingsley Napley, failed to lodge Points of Dispute by the deadline in a sealed Consent Order, then created a falsified version of the order (CO2) with a later deadline which he sent to his client to conceal his failure. He also sent a letter to the opposing firm containing false statements and misled his employer during its internal investigation and at interview. The Tribunal found all allegations proved beyond reasonable doubt and made an express finding of dishonesty under the Twinsectra test. Finding no exceptional circumstances, and following Sharma, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £2,615.05.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• No conflict between current clients
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty
• Deliberate and calculated concealment from opponent, client and employer
• Conduct was premeditated and repeated over a matter of days
• Creation of a false court document
• Absented himself from proceedings and gave no explanation for conduct
• Ceased cooperation in the months before the hearing

Mitigating factors:

• Previously unblemished career
• Actions of relatively brief duration
• Cooperated with the Applicant and Tribunal at the start of proceedings
• Made wide-ranging admissions in correspondence and interview