Eliot Lopian

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

Mr Lopian, a principal at Gunnercooke LLP, forged the signatures of three purchasers on a Form TR1 to conceal a conveyancing error, submitted a document to HM Land Registry that he knew to be untrue, and later falsely told the purchasers' solicitors he did not know how the form had been executed. He admitted all three allegations and admitted dishonesty. The Tribunal, on an agreed outcome, found the admissions properly made and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £2,500.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty over an extended seven-month period
• Concealment of error from client and misrepresentation to other solicitors
• Benefitted himself to the detriment of the Purchasers
• Experienced solicitor directly responsible

Mitigating factors:

• Early admission of dishonesty
• Genuine remorse
• Working under significant stress and strain
• Close family member seriously ill
• Had not sought legal sector employment since leaving firm