Sharelle Camelia Harris

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

The Respondent, a solicitor and conveyancing department head at Lester Dominic Solicitors, was found to have given false and misleading information to buyer's solicitors that a mortgage had been redeemed on completion when it had not (allegation 1.2), failed to carry out proper customer due diligence under the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 (allegation 1.3), and made false and misleading statements to a broker that her firm had three directors when it had only two (allegation 1.4). The Tribunal made express findings of dishonesty (Twinsectra test) in respect of the communications of 12 August, 5 September and 20 September 2013, and the statement about three partners. Two allegations (1.1 breach of undertaking and 1.5 failure to respond to SRA letter) were not proved. The hearing proceeded in the Respondent's absence after her adjournment application, unsupported by medical evidence, was refused. Finding no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal ordered the Respondent struck off the Roll and to pay costs of £19,500 (reduced from £28,021.50 to reflect unproven allegations and shorter hearing).

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Not mislead third parties or opponents

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty on several occasions across two unrelated matters (July to September 2013)
• Element of self-interest - covering up the failure to redeem a mortgage and securing work on another matter
• Misconduct led to harm - litigation arising from the failure to redeem the mortgage was still ongoing
• No insight shown into misconduct, particularly the fact that she had told lies
• Respondent gave misleading account to the investigation officer (e.g. claiming to be on leave at completion and misrepresenting Ms Smith's role)

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters proved against the Respondent