Karon Brown

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

Karon Brown, senior and sole equity partner of Watson and Brown, conducted 442 high-volume investment property conveyancing transactions referred by Morris Properties over 18 months, acting for both purchasers and lenders. She failed to inform lender clients of discounts, incentives, third-party payments and price differences, submitted misleading Certificates of Title, and deliberately preferred Morris's interests over those of her clients. The Tribunal found allegations 1 (with dishonesty), 3, 5 and 6 proved, applying the Twinsectra test, and found she acted dishonestly. Allegations 2 and 4 were not proved. She was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £35,500.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Personally responsible for and actively managed high-volume Morris conveyancing transactions bearing hallmarks of mortgage fraud
• Deliberately preferred interests of introducer/vendor Morris over lender and purchaser clients
• Both purchaser and lender clients suffered financial loss
• Submitted misleading Certificates of Title containing undertakings to lenders
• Ignored concerns raised by assistant solicitor Michelle Clark
• Substantial sums involved (millions advanced; secret profit of over £34,000 on transfer charges)

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary findings
• No mitigation was provided by the Respondent