Most purchasers of a property pay through their solicitors to the seller’s solicitors the deposit and then the completion monies. However a small (but growing) number of purchasers are finding that having paid the deposit and completion monies, they do not own the property. This is a devastating outcome and potentially financially ruinous.
However, do not despair but do contact Robert Johnson of Healys LLP who will in these circumstances be able to recover your monies.
Robert has built up a considerable amount of experience and expertise in dealing with these types of property frauds. The fraudster could be someone impersonating the true owner of the property; or a rogue conveyancer at the firm instructed by the true vendor; or a party who by way of cyber crime is able to interfere with the transaction and divert the monies to his/her (wrong) account. It does not matter; Robert will be able to assist you.
Claims against intended purchaser’s solicitors and purported vendor’s solicitors
Acted on behalf of the intended purchaser against two firms of solicitors in relation to a fraudulent property transaction in the sum of £1.1 million. We succeeded in obtaining judgment against the First Defendant for breach of trust after a 6 day Trial. The First Defendant appealed, our client cross-appealed and the Court of Appeal considered it together with a co-joined appeal for four days in 2018: The Court of Appeal held that both Defendants were jointly liable for our client’s losses.
Claims against Sterling Avram LLP (“SA”)
Acted on behalf of a firm of solicitors who had acted for the intended purchasers of a house for about £7 million. The purchase monies had been paid to SA (a genuine firm of solicitors) but the fee-earner dealing with the transaction at SA was a fraudster. In his position within SA, the fraudster was able to pretend that he and SA were acting for the true vendor of the house whereas the whole transaction was a fiction. Hence when the monies were received for the purchase of the house, they were not transferred to the true owner of the house but rather accounts in Eastern Europe. After a number of years judgment was obtained against SA by both the intended purchasers (for whom we did not act) and the intended purchasers’ solicitors (for whom we did act) for both the full amount of the losses and the majority of legal costs incurred.
Claims against intended purchaser’s solicitor
Acted for the intended purchaser of a property for about £300,000 but because the purported vendor was a fraudster, the monies were paid to that fraudster and our client did not become the owner of the property. Within 8 months and without having to go anywhere near a courtroom, all of the purchase monies and most of the legal costs had been recovered.
5th May 2023
Georgia Teague, a litigation paralegal at Healys LLP was recently selected to represent Great Britain in the IFAF Women’s American Football European Championships. The team competed last Saturday at the Sixways Stadium in their first fixture, which saw them dominate the game and win 40-0 against Sweden. Continue reading »
14th April 2023
We are pleased to announce that Robert Johnson, Partner and Head of Healys Professional Negligence, has been identified as a leader in his field and recommended for inclusion in this year’s Who’s Who Legal: Professional Negligence report. Continue reading »
27th March 2023
Whenever possible, Healys LLP commits to initiatives that support more diversity & inclusion within the business community. That’s why earlier this month, we joined forces with Best of British Events alongside Seico Mortgages, Kreston Reeves & Sussex Business Times to host a special event in celebration of Women’s Month. Continue reading »
In recent weeks AI technology has been a hot topic for many businesses as we consider the advantages and threats of this new technology. That’s why leading law firm Healys LLP have partnered with Business Solutions Networking to host a virtual event which provides insight into how your business can take advantage of AI to save you and your business valuable time and recourses.
16th March 2023
Professional Negligence Partner, Robert Johnson provides a guide to assist you explore your potential negligence claim. Continue reading »
5th May 2023
Georgia Teague, a litigation paralegal at Healys LLP was recently selected to represent Great Britain in the IFAF Women’s American Football European Championships. The team competed last Saturday at the Sixways Stadium in their first fixture, which saw them dominate the game and win 40-0 against Sweden. Continue reading »
14th April 2023
We are pleased to announce that Robert Johnson, Partner and Head of Healys Professional Negligence, has been identified as a leader in his field and recommended for inclusion in this year’s Who’s Who Legal: Professional Negligence report. Continue reading »
27th March 2023
Whenever possible, Healys LLP commits to initiatives that support more diversity & inclusion within the business community. That’s why earlier this month, we joined forces with Best of British Events alongside Seico Mortgages, Kreston Reeves & Sussex Business Times to host a special event in celebration of Women’s Month. Continue reading »
In recent weeks AI technology has been a hot topic for many businesses as we consider the advantages and threats of this new technology. That’s why leading law firm Healys LLP have partnered with Business Solutions Networking to host a virtual event which provides insight into how your business can take advantage of AI to save you and your business valuable time and recourses.
16th March 2023
Professional Negligence Partner, Robert Johnson provides a guide to assist you explore your potential negligence claim. Continue reading »