An award-winning solicitor, previously celebrated for overcoming adversity, has been struck off the roll of solicitors after defrauding three nurses out of tens of thousands of pounds. Julie Condliffe, 48, led the nurses to believe they were purchasing a buy-to-let property in northeast England as an investment, but she already owned the property and never intended to transfer its ownership.
Misleading Investors
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found that Condliffe falsely told the nurses they were buying a residential property for which they had paid a total of £31,000. This sum included £27,999 for the property, a £3,000 sourcing fee paid to Condliffe's firm, PropertyPro World Limited (PPW), and £3,720 spent on renovations. The nurses, who were described as 'inexperienced investors,' were led to believe they were purchasing the freehold of the property.
Condliffe, who was a social mobility ambassador for the Law Society and described as 'famous amongst the Zimbabwean community,' was approached by the nurses through this community. The tribunal concluded that she "clearly exploited her professional status to promote the trust and credibility arising from being a qualified solicitor." The misconduct had a significant impact on the wider community and "particularly on the Zimbabwean women she claimed to be empowering," the tribunal stated, adding that she "caused significant damage to the reputation of the legal profession."
A Disputed Arrangement
The tribunal heard that in 2018, Condliffe brokered the deal for the three nurses to buy a three-bedroom terraced house. They intended to renovate and sell it for a quick return. However, unbeknownst to them, her firm PPW owned the property, and Condliffe regarded their money as securing only a lease with an option to purchase. Despite later sending messages suggesting the property transfer was imminent, such as "The property will be yours from tomorrow," the relationship soured.
In 2021, the investors initiated county court proceedings, which resulted in a settlement of £19,000. One of the nurses, Pawel Jaskolski, a mental health nurse, suggested that Condliffe targeted nurses because they are "compassionate people."
Condliffe denied knowingly misleading the investors, claiming she genuinely believed the arrangement was a lease option purchase and that it was an honest misunderstanding. She submitted a 2018 letter referencing a lease option purchase, but the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which prosecuted the case, noted that the registered office for PPW on the document was not occupied until 2020. The tribunal found this discrepancy "gravely damaged Ms Condliffe's credibility."
Banking Irregularities
Two charges relating to dishonesty were found proven against Condliffe. She was cleared of a third charge of misleading investigators at the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Additionally, Condliffe admitted to a further charge concerning her banking arrangements. After Metro Bank closed her account, she switched to an unsuitable financial platform for holding and processing clients' money. This platform, which at one point held over £2.5 million, had withdrawal limitations that put property deals, including one exceeding £1 million, at risk.
Condliffe's rags-to-riches story had previously earned her recognition. Her portrait, in which she posed wearing a boxing glove, was displayed in the Law Society's offices. She was also included in a list of influential Christians from Zimbabwe in 2017. Her law firm, Creative Legal Solutions, received accolades in 2022, including Best Boutique Auction Law Firm and Specialist Solicitor of the Year.
The Law Society has since distanced itself from Condliffe, stating that her role as a Social Mobility Ambassador concluded in 2020 and her portrait is no longer displayed in their building.
Condliffe did not respond to requests for comment but has previously stated in online interviews that she admitted to making mistakes but claimed her "dream to be taken away by a social media smear campaign." In her book, "Unbreakable," she wrote, "There was a time I was breaking barriers in law - a Black woman solicitor, bestselling author, mentor, and voice for the voiceless. I no longer practise law. I practise truth."
She has been struck off the roll of solicitors and ordered to pay £48,000 in costs.