Craig Andrew Fraser

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

Craig Andrew Fraser, a solicitor formerly a partner at Leslie Deans & Co, acted for both purchaser and lender in twelve back-to-back conveyancing transactions involving a common seller (Mr A). He repeatedly failed to disclose to lenders that the seller had owned properties for less than six months, that transactions were back-to-back, that borrowers were not providing the balance of the price from their own funds (funds coming from a Mr C), and price uplifts, and submitted certificates of title falsely stating CML Handbook compliance. He also failed to carry out money laundering risk assessments. The Tribunal, proceeding in his absence, found him guilty of professional misconduct, holding his conduct demonstrated a lack of integrity and facilitated mortgage fraud, and that he would be a danger to the public if he continued to practise. His name was struck from the Roll and he was found liable for the expenses of the Complainers and the Tribunal (amount to be taxed). Although the Tribunal found lack of integrity and that he facilitated mortgage fraud, no express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• Act in the client's best interests
• No conflict between current clients
• Handle inadvertently received material
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Ongoing flagrant course of conduct across twelve transactions
• Deliberately turning a blind eye to potential mortgage fraud, facilitating mortgage fraud
• Conduct at the higher end of the scale of professional misconduct
• Lenders suffered losses and had to pursue repossession proceedings (e.g. Abbey National loss claimed at £105,209)
• Withheld information that would have affected lenders' decisions to lend