Leon Raymond Heron

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

Leon Raymond Heron, sole principal of Heron Solicitors, acted for two joint purchasers (YW and SL) of a property where a conflict of interest arose. YW funded the deposit and completion monies and was to be solely responsible for the mortgage, while SL was used only to help obtain the mortgage. The Respondent failed to respond to YW's query letter, failed to take instructions on a Declaration of Trust, failed to specify how the property was to be held in the lease, and registered the clients as joint tenants contrary to YW's evident interests. A supplementary allegation concerned abandonment of his practice and failing to arrange proper file storage. The Tribunal found allegations 1, 2, 3 and 5 proved but not allegation 4 (diminishing trust in the profession). Given a previous 1997 SDT finding involving a similar conflict-of-interest pattern, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered £10,000 costs. No dishonesty was alleged or found.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• Competence

Aggravating factors:

• Previous SDT finding in 1997 involving a similar modus operandi (conflict of interest in conveyancing/mortgage matters)
• Turned a blind eye to obvious conflict of interest issues and failed to cease acting
• Failed to keep proper records of instructions and advice

Mitigating factors:

• Financial difficulties leading to closure of practice
• No dishonesty alleged or found