Disciplinary Record - Rusty Adams

Decision - Employee-related decision

Outcome: Control of non-qualified staff (Section 43 / Section 99 order)

Outcome date: 8 April 2022

Published date: 18 May 2022

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Gateley PLC

Address(es): 2000 Cathedral Square, Cathedral Hill, Guildford, GU2 7YL

Firm ID: 650177

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Rusty Adams who is not a solicitor, was employed by Gateley plc (the firm) between 4 January 2021 and 28 July 2021 when he was dismissed for gross misconduct.

Mr Adams was employed in the firm’s Guildford office at 2000 Cathedral Square, Cathedral Hill, Guildford, GU2 7YL as a Completions Manager in its Residential Development Unit

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.

A finding of dishonesty was made against Mr Adams and he was made subject to a disqualification order under section 99 of the Legal Services Act 2007. This order prevents him from holding any of the following roles in a licensed body:

• Head of Legal Practice
• Head of Finance and Administration
• A manager
• An employee

Mr Adams was also directed to pay costs of £1,350.