Marc Joseph Levy

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

Marc Joseph Levy, a solicitor practising at HL Law, faced allegations arising from two forensic investigations relating to conveyancing transactions and accounts breaches, including providing banking facilities through client account, holding office money in client account, improper inter-client transfers, acting in conflicts of interest for sellers, buyers and lenders, and failing to manage the firm. He admitted all factual allegations and breaches. The SRA alleged dishonesty in respect of allegations 2.2 (holding office money) and 2.3 (banking facilities). The Tribunal applied the Twinsectra test as interpreted in Bultitude and found the dishonesty allegations NOT proved beyond reasonable doubt, accepting the 'chaotic universe' explanation and that the conduct continued after a first investigation in which no dishonesty had been alleged. Despite no dishonesty being found, the Tribunal found the misconduct very serious, deliberate and repeated, involving departures from required standards of integrity, and concluded that allowing the Respondent to remain on the Roll would undermine public confidence. He was struck off and ordered to pay costs (£89,235.49 claimed) subject to detailed assessment unless agreed.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No conflict between current clients
• Segregate client money
• No improper use of client money
• Account for interest on client money
• Supervise staff and delegated work
• Firm governance, systems and compliance
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct was deliberate and repeated over a lengthy period
• Continued the misconduct despite warnings from the SRA following the first forensic investigation
• Known or ought reasonably to have known conduct was in material breach of obligations to protect the public and reputation of profession
• Wholesale and widespread breaches of Accounts Rules and Code of Conduct
• Put the public at risk
• Cavalier approach to firm's accounting
• Failure to account for VAT (c.£28,379) and HMRC liabilities
• Made disingenuous assurances (via Russell Jones & Walker letter) that conduct would cease and was not repeated

Mitigating factors:

• Full admissions made in March 2014 (save dishonesty)
• No actual loss to clients/no shortfall
• Previously of good character with positive testimonials
• No previous disciplinary matters
• Cooperated and rectified minimum cash shortage; brought VAT/PAYE returns up to date

⚠ figures not found verbatim in the source were dropped: ["review_dishonesty_finding_cue_present"]