Lesley Marianna Alberici

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

Lesley Marianna Alberici, a solicitor practising under CUK Solicitors/Conveyancing UK/Spain, acted in numerous Spanish off-plan property purchases connected to Ocean View Properties (OVP). The Tribunal found she failed to provide clear and accurate information (clients believed she was their solicitor when she purported to act only as agent for Spanish lawyers), failed to act in clients' best interests (releasing deposit monies without bank guarantees, relying on a 'Criminal Theft' policy that did not protect against developer insolvency/liquidation, and failing to warn clients of her concerns about OVP), and provided service so poor as to amount to professional misconduct. She also breached SAR Rules 19 and 32, failed to comply with LCS Adjudicator directions, failed to cooperate with the SRA (admitted), and acted as a solicitor whilst uncertificated in the Hertford Avenue matter. Allegations of dishonesty/recklessness (1.3/2.3) and allegation 1.9 were NOT proved. The Tribunal struck her off the Roll, ordered an interim costs payment of £40,000 (total costs claimed £94,659.89, subject to detailed assessment), and ordered the Adjudicators' directions be enforceable as High Court orders.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Two previous disciplinary matters recorded against her
• Conduct contributed to significant financial losses suffered by clients
• Tribunal found her evidence self-serving and economical with the truth
• Persistent failure to engage with her regulator despite warnings

Mitigating factors:

• No finding of dishonesty or recklessness
• Tribunal accepted she was naive and overestimated her own skills rather than wilfully disregarding obligations
• Positive testimonials from professional colleagues
• Already bankrupt and no longer practising
• Apologised for failure to engage with the Applicant

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