A solicitor, author and motivational speaker has had her firm shut down over suspicions of dishonesty.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority announced today it had intervened into Creative Legal Solutions Solicitors Ltd, a property specialist with offices in London and Northamptonshire.
The regulator said there was reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of Julian (Julie) Condliffe, the manager of the firm. It is further alleged that Condliffe and the firm have failed to comply with SRA principles and accounts rules.
Condliffe, who has been suspended, is already subject to a prosecution relating to her work with non-regulated investment company Property Pro World Limited. It is alleged that between 2018 and 2019, she misled investors into believing she would complete the transfer of a property but failed to do so. This was following receipts of the complete transfer form, completion monies and sourcing fee.
It is further alleged that Confliffe misled the SRA and then the court with statements that turned out not to be true.
The allegations are subject to a hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and are as yet unproven.
Condliffe is a regular speaker at conferences and on podcasts and has had four books published on property auctions and strategies for investment success. She specialises in eviction services for landlords with tenants in rent arrears and problem tenants.
Zimbabwe-born Condliffe's Amazon biography details how she grew up as the youngest child in a family of eight and experienced homelessness before establishing herself as a solicitor and property consultant. She describes herself as having a ‘relentless drive to succeed’ whose message is ‘if I can do it, you can too’. She was admitted to the roll in 2012 and previously worked with Premier Solicitors in Bedfordshire before founding Creative Legal Solutions in 2020.
Her personal website says she ‘embodies a unique blend of legal prowess and entrepreneurial spirit’ and is a trusted adviser and advocate for her clients. She is a former Law Society social mobility ambassador and has taken part in a podcast discussing how organisations can develop inclusion and diversity.
The Gazette has attempted to contact Condliffe.
