Gary Paul Leech

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

Gary Paul Leech, a sole practitioner trading as GPL@Law, abandoned his conveyancing practice in December 2008, leading to an SRA intervention in August 2009. The Tribunal found proved that he failed to cooperate with the SRA, failed to produce client ledgers and certain files to the intervention agent, failed to undertake post-completion work (including paying SDLT and registering transfers/charges) on three property purchases, failed to deliver an Accountant's Report, and made improper round-sum withdrawals from client account totalling £130,600 across 104 transfers. The Tribunal applied the Twinsectra test and found, so it was sure, that he acted dishonestly in transferring client money that was not used for its intended purpose. With no exceptional circumstances and no appearance or mitigation from the Respondent, he was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £12,440.27, not to be enforced without leave of the Tribunal due to his financial circumstances.

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No improper communication with the court
• No improper use of client money
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Safeguard documents and limit liens

Aggravating factors:

• Finding of dishonesty in the use of client funds
• Significant sums (£130,600 over 104 transfers) withdrawn from client account, with client account holding only £12.48 at intervention
• Claim on the compensation fund which had paid out approximately £55,000
• Gave false information to the SRA that the client account was closed and last balance transferred on 13 December 2008, when transfers continued to 7 January 2009
• Failed to provide any explanation for his conduct

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary sanctions before the Tribunal