Stewart Paul Arnold

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

The Respondent, an employed solicitor at Kennard Wells, acted in back-to-back conveyancing transactions with suspicious characteristics, including discrepancies between true and stated purchase prices, purchasers contributing no own funds, and failures to register lenders' charges promptly. He admitted all allegations including recklessness; the SRA did not pursue the alternative dishonesty allegation and the Tribunal expressly did not consider dishonesty. Given four prior disciplinary appearances (1991, 2003, 2005, 2008, the last a three-year suspension), the Tribunal made an order under s47(2)(g) prohibiting restoration to the Roll and ordered costs of £30,000.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Disclose material information to client
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Four previous disciplinary appearances (1991, 2003, 2005, 2008)
• Previously suspended for three years in 2008
• Misconduct occurred while practising under supervision conditions imposed after the 2008 suspension; he circumvented those procedures
• Total disregard of the Solicitors' Code of Conduct and CML Handbook
• Conduct of an experienced solicitor
• Some misconduct bore disturbing similarities to prior defaults

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted all allegations
• No financial benefit or inducement received
• Claimed to have been pressured and manipulated by his client Mr GG
• Expressed remorse and apologised
• Difficult personal/family circumstances
• Ill-health