Ernest Hedwa Mugadza

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

Ernest Hedwa Mugadza, sole director and COLP/COFA of Denning Solicitors, was found to have recklessly facilitated five conveyancing transactions bearing the hallmarks of mortgage fraud by authorising 10 payments totalling £2,681,695.77 to unrelated third parties without enquiry, having engaged non-practising consultant NK (whose passport and practising certificate were false) without proper checks. The Tribunal found recklessness and, applying an objective test, a lack of integrity (no express finding of dishonesty). All six allegations were proved, most by admission. Given the seriousness, his second Tribunal appearance and lack of confidence that conditions would protect the public, he was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay £14,300 costs.

Duties found breached:

• No abuse of process or coercive powers
• Proper basis for allegations
• Personal probity and fitness to practise
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Not a one-off - involved 10 payments across five separate transactions
• Respondent knew he was taking a risk and aware he was in breach of obligations
• Second appearance before the Tribunal - had not heeded lesson of previous appearance
• Substantial harm - very high sums misappropriated and significant damage to reputation of profession
• Sought to absolve himself of responsibility by reliance on bank and NK

Mitigating factors:

• Deceived and manipulated by RW and NK who were fraudsters
• On discovering the fraud he reported to Police, notified insurers and SRA
• Co-operated with the SRA investigation and made substantial admissions
• Showed remorse and offered fulsome apologies to clients
• Actions were reckless rather than planned