Joanne Grace

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

Joanne Grace, a sole practitioner at Grace and Co, was found to have dishonestly misappropriated mortgage funds and manipulated property transactions for her own benefit through her property company GPD, including submitting false Certificates on Title that concealed discounts from lenders. She acted in conflict of interest acting for both herself/her business partner as borrowers and lenders, failed to obtain Westbury Homes' consent leading to unregistered charges, failed to deliver her accountant's report, failed to comply with an Adjudicator's decision, and failed to cooperate with the SRA. The Tribunal found dishonesty under the Twinsectra test in relation to allegations 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4 (but not 1.5). She was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £33,034.41. The hearing proceeded in her absence.

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Act in the client's best interests
• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• Honour professional undertakings
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• No own-interest conflict
• Professional independence

Aggravating factors:

• Misappropriated mortgage funds from Bank of Ireland
• Manipulated transactions for her own financial benefit
• Submitted false and misleading Certificates on Title to lenders
• Failed to disclose discounts to mortgage lenders
• Failed to cooperate with SRA investigation
• Posed significant risk to the public

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters recorded