Investigation Uncovers Allegations of Financial Mismanagement and Pressure on Vulnerable Clients by Law Firm Partner

Individuals who are elderly and vulnerable in south-east England have informed the BBC about instances where they relinquished authority over their finances and assets following interactions with an Essex-based law firm. They recounted being convinced – and at times feeling coerced – to assign lasting power of attorney (LPA) to Ron Hiller, a partner at the firm. A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal instrument where an individual designates an “attorney” to make decisions for them, concerning either financial matters or health and welfare. Attorneys are expected to operate in the paramount interests of their clients. However, an investigation into 30 cases linked to Mr Hiller and his firm, Craybeck Law, uncovered a troubling sequence of occurrences: The number of LPAs in England and Wales has seen a substantial increase in recent years. During 2023, over one million individuals registered, marking a 37% rise compared to the preceding year. Interviews were conducted with numerous vulnerable individuals, alongside their friends, family, and neighbours, all of whom voiced apprehension regarding Ron Hiller’s professional conduct. The investigation’s conclusions also highlight potential deficiencies in systemic oversight and question the capacity of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), the regulatory body for attorneys, to address these issues. A representative for Craybeck Law has refuted all allegations of misconduct but stated that the firm is unable to comment on assertions concerning particular individuals, citing client confidentiality. Multiple efforts were made to contact Mr Hiller directly, including at his residence, but he did not provide a response. Carole, a woman in her 60s residing alone in Uxbridge, west London, was hospitalized in April 2022 due to an infection. She did not return home. Her friends and neighbours, Bert and Hazel, sought to visit her in the hospital, but Covid restrictions were active. Subsequently, the hospital informed them of her transfer to a care home. They telephoned the care home numerous times but were never connected. Despite leaving messages, their calls remained unanswered. In a matter of months, Carole’s residence was entirely emptied and sold for £355,000 – a sum her neighbours considered low, given that comparable properties on the same street were selling for as much as half a million pounds. Hazel and Bert were concerned by these developments, yet they lacked the legal standing to obtain further information. They contacted me seeking assistance, aware of my previous investigation into a comparable situation. I successfully located Sandie, Carole’s cousin. We jointly visited Carole at her care home situated in the Hertfordshire town of Rickmansworth. Carole expressed her strong desire to depart, but felt trapped. She stated that she had met Ron Hiller at the care home, where he had persuaded her to assign him lasting power of attorney for her financial affairs. While most individuals designate family members as their attorney, this was not a viable choice for Carole. Her nearest relative was Sandie, who resided approximately a 100-mile drive away and experienced significant health issues. An LPA for property and finance can become effective immediately upon registration. Carole informed us that she was experiencing considerable pain upon her