A conveyancing assistant who forged a signature under pressure from her client to clinch a deal has been barred from the profession.
Amy Lianne Jones, a former employee of south east firm Boyes Turner, had been instructed in the purchase of a residential property, but in order to draw down essential funds from a lifetime ISA her client needed to complete a model conveyancer declaration form and have it signed by an eligible conveyancer.
In December 2022, Jones completed the form and alongside the date she signed purporting to be her line manager. In the event, the client complained because the funds were not available in time for completion.
Boyes Turner reviewed the file to respond to the complaint and found what Jones had done. An investigation was started and she was dismissed in February 2023 for gross misconduct.
Jones admitted to signing the form purporting to be her line manager but explained she had done this because the manager was out of the office and she felt ‘pressured’ by the client to complete his purchase.
She apologised and acknowledged she should not have forged the signature, adding it was a ‘moment of madness’ and an isolated incident.
She put forward mitigation that her poor judgement was due to the pressure of work and a heavy caseload, and she had never acted dishonestly before.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority said there was a strong public interest in potential employers in the profession knowing of Jones’ conduct and the risk she presents.
The regulator added: ‘Mrs Jones’ conduct makes it undesirable for her to be involved in legal practice because it demonstrates that when under pressure, she acted in a way that was dishonest and does not uphold public trust and confidence.’
Jones, who had worked as a residential conveyancing assistant at Boyes Turner for almost two years, was issued with a section 43 order preventing her from working for any regulated firm without first securing SRA permission. She must also pay £600 costs.
