JFSC public statement against Former 'lawyer of the year' jailed for taking £29k from an older adult

An award-winning lawyer and rising star in her profession was sent to prison for three years for a gross breach of trust in 2021

Julie Ann Harrigan transferred more than £29,000 from the bank accounts of an older adult in a care home into her account over two years.

The JFSC, now, May 2023, has deemed it necessary and proportionate in all circumstances that it applies legal directions to Ms Harrigan under Article 23 of the Supervisory Bodies Law.

The directions prohibit Ms Harrigan from performing any function for, engaging in any employment by, or holding any position in, a Schedule 2 business[1], without the prior written approval of the JFSC.[see statement below]

JFSC STATEMENT

1. Action

1.1 The JFSC issues this public statement pursuant to Article 26(a) of the Supervisory Bodies Law with respect to directions issued to Ms Harrigan under Article 23 of the Supervisory Bodies Law.

1.2 Definitions used in this public statement can be found in the glossary on page three.

1.3 In November 2021, Ms Harrigan was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Royal Court, having pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulent conversion. At the time of the offence, Ms Harrigan had been a Jersey solicitor for several years and the offence was committed in the course of her employment.

1.4 The JFSC has concluded, that as a result of Ms Harrigan's actions and her conviction for an offence involving fraud, Ms Harrigan is not a fit and proper person for the purposes of the Supervisory Bodies Law. Ms Harrigan's conduct poses a significant risk to the JFSC's guiding principles and objectives of reducing the risk to the public of financial loss, protecting and enhancing the reputation and integrity of Jersey in commercial and financial matters, and countering financial crime in Jersey and elsewhere.

1.5 The JFSC has, therefore, deemed it necessary and proportionate in all the circumstances of the case that directions are issued to Ms Harrigan under Article 23 of the Supervisory Bodies Law. The directions prohibit Ms Harrigan from performing any function for, engaging in any employment by, or holding any position in, a Schedule 2 business[1], without the prior written approval of the JFSC.

1.6 Ms Harrigan will commit an offence, under Article 23(15) of the Supervisory Bodies Law, in the event she fails to comply with the provisions of the directions.

1.7 Any person who allows Ms Harrigan to perform a function, engage in employment or hold a position knowing that such performance, engagement or holding is in contravention of the directions shall be guilty of an offence.

1.8 Ms Harrigan has also been issued with equivalent directions under the Regulatory Laws preventing her from performing any function at all for, engaging in any employment at all by, or holding any position at all in, any business regulated by the JFSC, without the prior written approval of the JFSC.

[1] A business described in Schedule 2 to the Proceeds of Crime (Jersey) Law 1999.

• Ms Julie Ann Harrigan Date of Birth: 8 July 1985 Issued: 12 May 2023

• Proceeds of Crime (Supervisory Bodies) (Jersey) Law 2008

SOURCES

https://www.jerseyfsc.org/news-and-events/ms-julie-ann-harrigan/

https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/news/former-lawyer-year-jailed-defrauding-elderly-client/#.ZF4l93bMJyE