Breaking news—bad news for sellers’ solicitors in property fraud cases (P&P Property Ltd v Owen White & Catlin, Dreamvar (UK) Ltd v Mishcon De Reya)

Table of contents

• What was the outcome of the appeals?

Article summary

Property analysis: The Court of Appeal has today handed down its decision in two appeals concerning the liability of solicitors and estate agents in cases involving identity fraud. In both cases the fraudster posed as the owner of a registered property in London. He instructed solicitors and agents to act for him on the sale of the property and genuine purchasers were found. The purchasers instructed their own solicitors, and proceeded to exchange of contracts and completion in accordance with the Law Society Code for Completion by Post (2011) (the Code). Following completion, but before registration of title, the fraud was discovered, but the fraudster and the purchase money had disappeared.