Wendy Deborah Alexander

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

A solicitors' secretary/clerk employed by Rigby Golding & Co became involved in private dealings with elderly clients (Mr & Mrs D), taking £37,544 from them for occupation of a heavily mortgaged property she jointly owned, without disclosing the mortgages or her financial difficulties. The clients lost their home when a mortgagee took possession and their default judgment against the respondent went unsatisfied. The Tribunal accepted the civil courts' findings that she was party to a planned fraud against the clients. She did not appear. The Tribunal made a Section 43(2) order restricting her employment within the solicitors' profession without Law Society permission, and ordered her to pay costs to be taxed if not agreed.

Duties found breached:

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

Aggravating factors:

• The fraud was planned and not opportunistic
• Clients were deprived of a considerable sum (£37,544) with little prospect of recovery
• Exploited a close, parent-child-like relationship of trust with elderly clients
• Concealed that the Watton property was heavily mortgaged and in financial difficulty

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent claimed she was a secretary not a clerk and unaware of applicable regulations
• Respondent expressed remorse and stated she would not have intentionally jeopardised her career