Craig Andrew Fraser

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

Craig Andrew Fraser, while a partner at Leslie Deans & Co, acted for both purchasers and lenders in 12 back-to-back conveyancing transactions where the seller (Mr A) had acquired the properties immediately beforehand. In each case he failed to report to lenders that the seller had owned the property for less than six months, that the transactions were back-to-back, that borrowers were not providing the balance of the price from their own funds (funds came from Mr C), and in one case a substantial price uplift. He submitted false/clear certificates of title and conducted no money laundering risk assessments. The Tribunal found him guilty of professional misconduct, holding he had withheld important information, facilitated mortgage fraud, and demonstrated a lack of integrity (no express dishonesty finding). The Respondent did not participate. His name was struck from the Roll and he was found liable in expenses (no total figure stated; unit rate £14.00). Publicity deferred pending possible criminal proceedings.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients
• Handle inadvertently received material
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Course of conduct across 12 conveyancing transactions
• Conduct facilitated mortgage fraud / revolving deposit schemes
• Submitted false certificates of title to multiple lenders
• Lenders suffered losses including repossessions (e.g. Abbey National loss of £105,209)
• Conduct at the higher end of the scale of professional misconduct; Respondent deemed a danger to the public
• Deliberately turning a blind eye to potential mortgage fraud