Simon Paget-Brown

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

Simon Paget-Brown, a solicitor admitted in 2000 and sole practitioner of Paget-Brown (UK), admitted four allegations concerning conduct between 2018 and 2020. He acted for Wraith Capital companies, participating in or facilitating transactions bearing hallmarks of advance fee fraud while also being a director (an own interest conflict), failed to perform an undertaking on time (satisfied 30 months late), allowed the client account to be used as a banking facility, and failed to maintain proper accounting records and obtain accountant's reports. Recklessness was an admitted aggravating feature. No dishonesty was alleged or found. The Tribunal approved an agreed outcome of a 12-month suspension followed by indefinite practising restrictions (including a bar on giving undertakings, added by the Tribunal), plus costs of £15,000. Company C lost £212,800.

Duties found breached:

• Honour professional undertakings
• Integrity
• No conflict between current clients
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Not misrepresent regulated status
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Recklessness (admitted) - inappropriate risk taking and lack of regard for consequences
• Very experienced solicitor (over 18 years) with direct control as director, COLP and COFA
• Misconduct caused Company C to lose £212,800, which was reasonably foreseeable
• Respondent was aware Mr Donaldson was a convicted fraudster
• Full admission made only one day before the substantive hearing

Mitigating factors:

• Misconduct arose partly from deception by a third party (Mr Donaldson)
• Undertaking was eventually satisfied in full (with interest), albeit some 30 months late
• Respondent suffered considerable losses (in excess of £500,000) as a result of the undertaking breach
• Some level of genuine insight shown through admissions
• No dishonesty alleged or found