David Jackson & Fleur Palmer

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

In a case arising from a substantial mortgage fraud facilitated by PI Legal Services LLP, the Second Respondent (office manager/practice manager and signing solicitor) failed to disclose to lender clients material facts including assignments, discounts, cashbacks, the true purchase price and third-party (T) contributions to the deposit, and gave false answers to specific lender enquiries (notably the CG development treated as fictitious remortgages). He also allowed the client account to operate as a banking facility for third parties and acted despite clear conflicts of interest. The Tribunal found all three allegations proved and, applying Twinsectra, found dishonesty proved. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay the balance of costs (total costs schedule £263,918.59), with a Statement of Means directed. The First and Third Respondents' cases were disposed of by agreement at the outset (suspensions), with no dishonesty pursued against them.

Duties found breached:

• Disclose material information to client
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Express finding of dishonesty
• Repeated deception of lender clients over a considerable period in numerous matters
• Conduct amounted to facilitating large-scale mortgage fraud through the firm
• Senior and experienced solicitor who had studied the CML Handbook and Green Card yet continued the deception
• Gave deliberately false/misleading answers to specific lender questions (e.g. CG development treated falsely as remortgages)

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary appearances
• Cooperated fully and truthfully with the investigation and appeared in person without representation
• Made no secret profit
• Acted to some extent on instructions of and in reliance on his employer (the First Respondent)
• Admitted his failings and apologised unreservedly