Solicitor Struck Off for Online Document Certification
Joe Morgan, a solicitor admitted in 2019 and director of Document Certifier Ltd, has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for certifying documents without seeing the originals.
The Issue: Morgan ran a website where clients uploaded documents (such as bank statements) which he then certified as true copies. His process involved:
- AI software checking document veracity
- Manual review of uploaded documents
- Certification once satisfied everything was in order
Morgan argued that uploaded documents counted as “originals,” but the tribunal disagreed, ruling that as a matter of “common sense and logic,” he had only seen versions of originals.
Previous Warning: The SRA had already rebuked Morgan in 2022 for the same practice, but he continued offering certification services in the identical way, breaching his agreement with the regulator.
The Tribunal’s Findings:
- Failed to maintain public confidence in solicitors
- Failed to act with integrity
- Caused harm to clients who received documents that couldn’t be relied upon
- Acted with self-interest through a calculated and deliberate process
- Showed no remorse or understanding of the harm caused
- Steadfastly relied on his own incorrect understanding of certification requirements
The tribunal concluded Morgan would present a risk to clients and the profession’s reputation if allowed to continue practicing.
Key Principle: Government guidance clearly states solicitors cannot certify documents without seeing original physical documents.
Read full the analysis here.