Would a solicitor pass on incriminating paperwork to the police regarding a different matter ?

[mycatsanutter]

Sorry if the title is a bit jumbled. Posting on behalf of a relative . She has been trying for over a year to get her ex out of their jointly owned house , a court case is imminent. The ex is a drug dealer . They have had to exchange their financial information including bank statements. His bank statements clearly show large amounts of money going out , over a grand many times and many payments going in . We are 100% sure this is his drug dealing money . None of this income was detailed in the section where he listed his financial incomings and outgoings . We are wondering if a solicitor would be querying these payments and how far they would be taking the queries ? My relative had put on her financial paperwork that he supplements his income by drug dealing . Would the solicitor / judge ignore the information on the bank statements?

I imagine unless there is actual proof of drug dealing then it is irrelevant. Lots of people use cash for various reasons and it would be difficult for any professional to accept your relatives assertion that it's illegal earnings.

I'm not sure many drug dealers would take their illegally earned money and pop it into their current account. But it might raise some questions!

Thanks for your response - it's bank transfers . The money going out is from a few different names and the money going in is also transfers . We are so surprised that he has handed these statements over as they do not tally up at all with his list of incomings and outgoings . We have no evidence at all of his dodgy dealings but would a judge even mention these statements baring in mind the case is to do with the house and money. 🤷‍♀️

I would think they would be questioned for sure, reported to the police? Not so sure

That's what we are wondering , would a blind eye be turned as he is not in court for that , the court case is to force the sale of their house as he won't leave . His bank statements back up her comments regarding his drug dealing . Wondering if he was pushing for more money would the judge ask him to explain the amounts .

Ask the solicitor I guess they will have been in the situation before.

Do you want them to turn a blind eye? If your relative wants it investigated then she needs to go to the police herself.

The short answer is yes. This is from the SRA website (solicitors' regulatory body):

"When should I submit a suspicious activity report (SAR)?
You must submit a SAR when you know, suspect or have reasonable grounds to suspect that you may have encountered the proceeds of crime or that someone is engaged in money laundering or dealing in criminal property. You do not have to be handling the proceeds of crime yourself or seeking a defence against an offence in order to be required to submit a SAR."

@StormingNorman she did a while ago with lots of information and never got an update from the police and as far as she is aware ( it's a small town people talk ) there was no conviction.

@eurochick thank you very much really appreciate that .

Unless there's actual proof it's heresay and exactly what an ex with a grudge would say.

I doubt any solicitor would take it upon themselves to do so and potentially burn bridges with a paying client.