SRA issues ban after man poses as divorce expert

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has sanctioned a man after he posed as somebody capable of carrying our work on divorce cases.

The man, Rusty Adams, was employed in Guildford by Gateley as completions manager in the firm’s residential development unit.

However, it was found following an investigation by the SRA that he had been misleading clients into thinking he could carry out work on their divorce cases.

Adams was not a solicitor and was therefore sanctioned accordingly by the SRA. They found he had acted dishonestly and breached two SRA principles. In their report on the outcome of the investigation, the SRA said:

“It was found that Mr Adams:

1. Misled an individual into falsely believing Mr Adams was working on behalf of the firm, and that he had the necessary expertise to undertake matrimonial work, and;

2. Induced an individual to pay money direct to him under the pretence of acting for him in relation to his divorce. Mr Adams did not undertake any work in relation to the divorce or any other matter on the individual’s behalf.

In doing so, Mr Adams breached principles 2 and 5 of the SRA Principles 2019 and paragraph 1.4 of the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms 2019.”

The SRA accordingly disqualified Adams under section 99 of the Legal Services Act 2007, thus preventing him from being head of legal practice, head of finance and administration, manager, or employee of any licensed firm. He was also directed to pay £1,350 in costs.

Speaking on the issue, Gateley, Adams’ employer at the time of his offence, said:

“We confirm that Rusty Adams was employed by Gateley Plc for a short time between January to July 2021, when he was dismissed for gross misconduct. In accordance with our regulatory obligations we reported the matter to the SRA.”