Conveyancing assistant barred over secret commissions

A former conveyancing assistant who took kick-backs from a search company without telling his firm has been barred from working in the profession.

Stuart Farrar, who worked for Hertfordshire firm Hughes & Company for two and a half years until last November, obtained commissions from the third party coming to £3,325 when he knew employees were not allowed to do this. He did not account to the firm or its clients for these payments.

In May 2022, Farrar had also asked for and received a cash payment of £500 from a client which he said was on account of costs. The client had already paid the firm £750 and no further costs were due.

He then offered two other clients a discount on abortive conveyancing costs if they paid him in cash.

The firm has reimbursed all monies requested by Farrar in full.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority said Farrar had been dishonest and had acted without integrity. He was made subject to a section 43 order preventing him working for any regulated entity without obtaining SRA permission. He must also pay back a proportion of the SRA’s £1,350 costs.