Andrew Stuart Coates

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

Andrew Stuart Coates, a solicitor, manager and COLP at Kennedys Law LLP, faced an allegation that he failed adequately to investigate concerns about the Firm's involvement in the purchase and sale of units in the Grosvenor Hotel Bristol development, and allowed the Firm to continue acting, in breach of Principle 8 of the SRA Principles 2011 and Outcome 7.3 of the SRA Code 2011. The development turned out to be a substantial fraud perpetrated by the client Mr Varma. The Tribunal found that Mr Coates was not made aware of the serious concerns identified by others (only that deposits were high), was reasonably reassured at the 1 August 2017 meeting by fellow partner Mr Ko about the client's bona fides, and acted reasonably in the steps he took. The Tribunal held he was entitled to rely on information from Mr Ko and found the allegation not proved. Mr Ko was separately dealt with by Agreed Outcome. No costs were sought and no order as to costs was made.