A solicitor has been fined significantly for breaching an undertaking, sparking concerns about regulatory compliance and public trust.
- Godwin Ehujor, a consultant solicitor at a South London law firm, violated a professional undertaking concerning the proceeds of a property sale.
- The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) imposed a fine constituting 32% of Mr Ehujor’s annual income for his actions.
- Mr Ehujor’s conduct involved unauthorised payments from the sale proceeds, leading to professional embarrassment for his client’s counsel.
- The SRA criticised Mr Ehujor for showing a reckless disregard for his obligations and lack of remorse.
Godwin Ehujor, a consultant solicitor based in South London, has faced disciplinary action from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) following a severe breach of a professional undertaking. Mr Ehujor acted for a client in a property sale transaction where he had provided an undertaking not to distribute the sale proceeds without mutual agreement or a court order. His actions have raised questions about adherence to regulatory obligations.
The situation unfolded when Mr Ehujor’s client entered into an agreement with another party, represented by a separate law firm, to hold the property sale proceeds until any disagreements were resolved. However, Mr Ehujor breached this undertaking by disbursing funds prematurely. In a compliance hearing, it was revealed that 16 unauthorised payments amounting to £37,500 were made, covering legal fees, costs orders, and payments to the client himself.
At a case management conference in May 2022, the client’s counsel expressed professional embarrassment upon discovering that his fees had been paid from the disputed funds. This revelation prompted further investigation by the court, highlighting systemic issues in the handling of the transaction.
The SRA, in its ruling, identified Mr Ehujor’s conduct as lacking in integrity, which had consequently damaged public trust in the legal profession. They cited his prolonged non-compliance and the potential for significant harm as factors in their decision. The imposed fine, equating to 32% of Mr Ehujor’s annual gross income, reflected the gravity of his infractions.
Moreover, Mr Ehujor showed no insight into the repercussions of his actions, failing to demonstrate anything akin to remorse. The SRA’s decision has sparked debate within the legal community about the consistency of penalties applied to solicitors for breaches of professional conduct.
This case underscores the critical importance of regulatory compliance and maintaining the integrity of professional undertakings within the legal sector.
