Nicholas John Peterken

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

Nicholas John Peterken, admitted 1991, was found to have carried out reserved legal activities (Land Registry applications and exercising a right of audience at Leeds County Court) between October 2011 and October 2014 when not authorised, following closure of his SRA-regulated firm and establishment of the unregulated Nick Peterken Law. He provided misleading information to two SRA Forensic Investigation Officers (2012 and 2015) and to an SRA Supervisor (2014) by falsely stating he was not conducting reserved legal work. The Tribunal found dishonesty proved (applying the Ivey test) in respect of Allegations 1.2 and 1.3. The Tribunal proceeded in his absence after refusing his adjournment application. Allegation 1.1 was proved in part (statutory declaration aspect not proved). Found no exceptional circumstances to reduce sanction. Struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £16,116.38.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty alleged and proved
• Misconduct was deliberate, calculated and repeated
• Continued over a period of time
• Concealed his wrongdoing
• Knew conduct was in material breach of obligations to protect public and reputation of profession
• Misled his regulator
• Financial motivation