Kerry
Stevens
Solicitor
475083
Decision - Control of practice
Outcome: Condition
Outcome date: 23 November 2023
Published date: 9 January 2024
Firm details
No detail provided:
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
Who does this decision relate to?
Kerry Ann Stevens whose last known address was in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
Kerry Ann Stevens is a solicitor.
Summary of decision
The SRA has revoked with immediate effect Kerry Ann Stevens’ practising certificate for the practice year 2022/23.
The facts of the case
On 22 March 2022, in the Suffolk Magistrates’ Court, Ms Stevens was convicted of two counts of fraud by false representation contrary to sections 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006.
She was convicted in her absence.
Briefly:
- On 14 January 2021, Ms Stevens represented she had paid for some takeaway food to be delivered when in fact she had not paid for it thereby intending to make a gain for herself of £43.47.
- For that first offence, Ms Stevens was ordered to pay a fine of £440 and compensation of £100.
- On 25 February 2021, Ms Stevens represented that she would return to a Harvester restaurant to pay her bill of £60.91 but she did not return to pay for it, intending to make a gain for herself of £60.91.
- For that second offence, Ms Stevens was fined £440, ordered to pay compensation of £100 and a victim surcharge of £88.
- The SRA learned of these convictions on 22 April 2022.
- On 23 August 2023, the SRA referred Ms Stevens to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and relied on her two convictions stated above.
Decision on outcome
On 31 October 2023, Ms Stevens’ practising certificate for the year 2022/23 was up for renewal for the new practice year 2023/24. She did not apply to renew it. This meant her practising certificate for the year 2022/23 remained in force after 31 October 2023, until it was revoked or replaced by a new one.
The reason the practising certificate was eligible to be revoked was because Regulation 8.4(b) of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations says the SRA may revoke a practising certificate if it is satisfied ‘that the replacement or renewal date has passed and an application has not been made for replacement of the practising certificate or renewal of the registration.’
Because Ms Stevens has been convicted of two offences and her conduct has been referred to the Solicitor Disciplinary Tribunal means that it is in the public interest to revoke her practising certificate immediately.
Decision - Prosecution
Outcome: Referral to Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
Outcome date: 24 August 2023
Published date: 7 December 2023
Firm details
Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Parfitt Cresswell
Address(es): 4A Kingfisher Court Bellbrook Industrial Estate Uckfield TN22 1QQ
Firm ID: 071480
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Reasons/basis
Outcome of SDT Hearing
This notification relates to a Decision to prosecute before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. This is an independent Tribunal which reaches its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the Respondent. The Tribunal had certified that there was a case to answer.
The matter was heard on 25 March 2024.
Ms Stevens was Struck Off the Roll.
The SDT judgment will be available at www.solicitorstribunal.org.uk