Mark David Rowland

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

Mark David Rowland, a salaried partner at Angel & Co, dealt with the sale of an estate property and arranged to purchase it jointly with a dismissed former employee (Mr Raiwa) for £120,000, below its valuation. He concealed the purchasers' identities, opened no file or ledger, and persuaded the executor partners to sign an incomplete transfer form. The Tribunal found allegations (a)-(c) proved (admitted) and found allegation (d) dishonesty proved under the Twinsectra test to the higher standard. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £11,501.25.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• No conflict between current clients
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate course of conduct over an extended period
• Concealed identity of purchasers and his association with Mr Raiwa (a struck-off individual)
• Persuaded senior partner to sign an incomplete transfer form through deception
• Failed to open a file or client ledger
• Purchased estate property below valuation and below stamp duty threshold without marketing it
• Later failed to inform mortgagee of sub-letting arrangement contrary to mortgage terms

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted allegations (a)-(c) at an early stage and co-operated with the SRA
• Reimbursed the firm £10,000 paid to the estate
• Positive testimonials/references submitted
• Previously a valuable, conscientious and well-regarded employee with an otherwise spotless record