Andrew Stuart Coates

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

Mr Coates, a solicitor and COLP at Kennedys Law LLP, faced an allegation that between 1 August 2017 and 28 February 2018 he failed adequately to investigate concerns relating to the Firm's involvement in the purchase and sale of units in the Grosvenor Hotel Bristol development (which later proved to be a substantial fraud by the developer Mr Varma), and that he allowed the Firm to continue acting, in breach of Principle 8 of the SRA Principles 2011 and Outcome 7.3 of the SRA Code of Conduct 2011. The Tribunal found Mr Coates was not made fully aware of the serious concerns and was entitled to rely on assurances given by Mr Ko, the partner with conduct of the matter. It held his actions were reasonable and compliant with his COLP obligations, and dismissed the allegation. No dishonesty was alleged or found. The co-respondent Mr Ko was dealt with separately by Agreed Outcome. No order as to costs.