Co-op Legal Services: Dismissed consultant for gross misconduct
An estate planning consultant at Co-operative Legal Services (CLS) who falsely confirmed that he had witnessed the signatures on a lasting power of attorney (LPA) has been banned from the profession.
Ian Heslop accepted that he had acted dishonestly in a regulatory settlement agreement with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Under section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974, he cannot now work for a regulated law firm without the SRA’s permission.
An SRA notice said he was a consultant who worked for CLS under the supervision of a solicitor.
In October 2024, clients instructed CLS to draft an LPA. CLS sent the draft to the donor and two attorneys for them to review and sign, and Mr Heslop subsequently falsely signed the LPA as having witnessed the signatures. This rendered it invalid.
Mr Heslop admitted what he had done to CLS and in January 2025 was dismissed for gross misconduct.
In the agreement with the SRA, he accepted that his dishonest conduct made it undesirable for him to be involved in a legal practice and that a section 43 order should be made.
In mitigation, he said he thought that, by signing the LPA, he was acting in the best interests of the donor for their needs and circumstances. But he now recognised that he should have made arrangements for the LPA to be properly witnessed.
He had also shown “insight and remorse” and acknowledged the distress his actions had caused, the SRA noted.