Andrew Wayne Willis

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

The Complainant purchased a foreclosed property from VMBS, obtained letters of possession and was registered on title. The Attorney, former owner whose property VMBS had foreclosed, resisted her taking possession, occupied the premises, persuaded police and security personnel she had no right to the property, and hired security firms, despite his caveat having lapsed and his separate claim against VMBS having failed in both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. The Panel found his conduct egregious and likely to bring the profession into disrepute, finding him guilty of professional misconduct under Canon I(b). No express finding of dishonesty was made. Sanction was deferred pending a mitigation hearing; no fine or costs were ordered in this decision.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Attorney is an attorney who purported to protect property rights he knew or ought to have known did not exist
• Confrontations involving police, security officers and members of the public
• Belated disclosure during cross-examination that his Supreme Court and Court of Appeal claims had failed