When Attorneys Go Rogue: LPA Abuse Allegations Raise Urgent Questions About Oversight
Alarming reports from Essex highlight the risks of appointing professional attorneys—and expose potential weaknesses in the system meant to protect the most vulnerable.
In the UK, a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is meant to be a safeguard—a legal lifeline designed to protect individuals who lose capacity to manage their affairs. Yet recent investigations have uncovered cases where this safeguard appears to have been exploited, leaving vulnerable clients powerless over their own property, finances, and lives.
An investigation by the BBC revealed serious allegations against Ron Hiller, a partner at Craybeck Law in Essex, who acted as an attorney for dozens of elderly and incapacitated clients across the south-east of England. Former clients and their families claim they were pressured into signing LPAs, lost access to their finances, and watched properties sold below market value—without transparency, consent, or proper explanation.
At Parachute Law, we routinely advise clients on how to structure LPAs safely and responsibly. The stories emerging from this case underscore just how vital it is to choose attorneys wisely, and to understand the legal powers and risks involved.
What Is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
An LPA is a legal document that allows someone (the donor) to appoint one or more people (attorneys) to make decisions on their behalf should they lose mental capacity.
There are two types of LPA:
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA: Gives attorneys the power to manage your money, bank accounts, bills, investments, and property.
- Health and Welfare LPA: Gives attorneys the authority to make decisions about your healthcare, medical treatment, and living arrangements.
An attorney must always act in the donor’s best interests. If they abuse their powers, they may face legal consequences—but as this case highlights, enforcement and oversight can be inconsistent.
The Craybeck Law Investigation: A Pattern of Alleged Exploitation
According to the BBC’s reporting, Ron Hiller was appointed as attorney in more than 30 cases investigated—often after elderly or vulnerable individuals were introduced to him by social workers or other professionals. In several cases, families and neighbours reported:
- Being cut off from communication with the donor
- Having no knowledge of financial transactions or charges
- Discovering that properties had been sold without their knowledge or for less than market value
- Unexplained cash withdrawals made from the donor’s accounts
- A lack of invoices, receipts, or detailed financial records
Carole’s Case: LPA, Isolation, and a Lost Home
Carole, a woman in her 60s living alone in Uxbridge, found herself isolated in a care home after an illness. Her friends, who tried to stay in contact, were blocked from visiting or phoning her. Meanwhile, her house was sold for £355,000—a figure they believed to be far below market value.
Carole later revealed she had granted LPA to Ron Hiller while in pain and under stress. Since then, she had received no financial statements and was unaware of how much she was being charged. Her bank card was used to make repeated £300 withdrawals in South Benfleet—near Hiller’s office. No clear records were provided to justify the charges.
Her cousin eventually tracked her down and helped her move into a new home, but not before discovering that Carole’s property had been resold months later—this time for nearly £100,000 more.
Oversight Concerns: Is the Current System Strong Enough?
Despite the strict legal duties attorneys must follow, the Craybeck Law allegations point to troubling gaps in oversight. The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), which registers LPAs and regulates attorneys, is not currently required to track how many LPAs one person holds or flag when patterns of revocation occur.
In the Craybeck investigation, many former clients, friends and family said they felt intimidated, pressured, or completely shut out once the LPA was registered.
Even more troubling were reports that:
- Attorneys were introduced by NHS or care professionals without transparency
- Clients were unaware that the attorney was not a qualified solicitor
- Donors were encouraged to sell assets quickly, with proceeds unaccounted for
- Attorneys were also appointed as executors of wills—effectively removing all third-party scrutiny
Legal Status of Attorneys: Are They Always Qualified?
Despite being listed as a “partner” at Craybeck Law, Ron Hiller is not a practising solicitor and does not appear on the roll of qualified solicitors. Instead, he holds a diploma in credit management.
While the law allows non-solicitors to act as attorneys and even become partners in law firms, this distinction was not always made clear to clients. In vulnerable contexts—such as introductions by NHS staff or social workers—this ambiguity can be misleading and result in misplaced trust.
Craybeck Law denied any wrongdoing and stated that they complied with all relevant regulations. They also claimed that all clients were assessed for mental capacity before appointments were made.
Conflicts of Interest and Probate Control
In multiple cases, Hiller was not only appointed as attorney under the LPA, but also named executor of the donor’s will. This gave him control over both the client’s finances during their lifetime and their estate after death.
For example:
- In one case, a woman’s entire estate—around £220,000—was left to a police charity, excluding her family.
- In another, a client had no idea his will had been changed and never saw a copy.
One removal firm hired to clear a property belonged to Hiller’s son, raising further questions about whether clients were given unbiased service options.
When an attorney also acts as executor, there is very little independent oversight. Legal experts have warned that this structure allows individuals to set their own fees during life, and then collect additional charges for probate—often without scrutiny from family members, especially if they are excluded from the will.
Legal and Regulatory Response
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has since confirmed it is investigating the complaints against Craybeck Law and Ron Hiller. Meanwhile, the NHS Trust involved (HPUFT) has launched an internal review into social workers who allegedly facilitated attorney appointments.
This case has caught the attention of Parliament. A Private Members’ Bill aimed at strengthening LPA safeguards is currently in its second reading. If passed, it could introduce new requirements for:
- Transparency in attorney appointments
- Stricter oversight from the OPG
- Disclosure obligations when professionals recommend attorneys
Experts such as former Court of Protection judge Denzil Lush and solicitor Ann Stanyer have long warned that the LPA system, while essential, is open to abuse if not carefully monitored.
Lessons for the Public: How to Protect Yourself or Loved Ones
These tragic cases serve as a warning: while LPAs are powerful legal tools, they must be handled with extreme care.
Here’s how you can reduce your risk:
Appoint someone you know and trust
Where possible, appoint close family members or friends who understand your wishes and can be held accountable.
Use a solicitor for advice and drafting
A regulated legal professional can guide you through the process and help you avoid pitfalls like unclear instructions, poor record keeping, or conflicts of interest.
Avoid combining attorney and executor roles
This reduces oversight and opens the door to potential misuse of funds.
Request regular financial updates
Attorneys are legally required to act in your best interests. That includes keeping transparent records and communicating decisions when possible.
Report concerns to the OPG
If you suspect attorney abuse, the Office of the Public Guardian can investigate and, in serious cases, revoke the LPA or refer the matter to the Court of Protection.
Parachute Law’s Perspective
At Parachute Law, we believe LPAs are essential for future planning—but they must be created with legal clarity and ethical safeguards.
We offer:
- Solicitor-reviewed LPA drafting and registration
- Advice on choosing the right attorneys
- Ongoing support for attorney duties and record-keeping
- LPA revocation and replacement support if needed
We’ve also helped families apply to the Court of Protection to challenge attorney abuse or to remove attorneys where there's evidence of misconduct.
Final Word: Reform Is Needed, But So Is Vigilance
More than eight million LPAs have now been registered in England and Wales. As our population ages, the system designed to protect vulnerable people must be equipped to handle the risks that come with that scale.
While regulatory reform is in progress, individuals must remain vigilant when creating LPAs or acting as attorneys. Transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making must remain at the heart of this process.
If you're concerned about an existing LPA—or need help setting one up safely—our team at Parachute Law is here to help.
Need Help with a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Call Parachute Law today on 0207 183 4547
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