Two solicitors from the same London firm face hefty fines following SRA prosecutions.
- Zachariah Reynolds and Alexa Kordowicz admit to client care failings in property matters.
- Both solicitors failed to obtain clear instructions from clients, leading to fines over £30,000.
- Reynolds and Kordowicz have resolved to change their working practices to prevent future issues.
- The fines highlight the importance of maintaining client care standards in legal practice.
Two solicitors from a London law firm have been fined over £30,000 collectively by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) following serious lapses in client care during property transactions. The solicitors, Zachariah Reynolds and Alexa Kordowicz, acknowledged their failure to obtain clear and explicit instructions from their clients, which is a fundamental requirement in legal practice.
In relation to a loan agreement secured against a client’s property, both Reynolds, a partner, and Kordowicz, the appointed fee-earner, exhibited a lack of clear communication and failed to provide essential client care letters. The SRA reported a ‘clear lack of instructions’ on the case file and highlighted the failure to evaluate potential conflicts of interest, a significant oversight that ultimately disadvantaged their clients.
Despite being informed that the transaction might enhance the property’s value, it ultimately did not serve the clients’ best interests. Both Reynolds and Kordowicz have admitted to not adequately advising their clients on the transaction’s associated risks. This failure contravened their professional duty to act in the clients’ best interests.
Zachariah Reynolds, with 25 years of experience and no prior regulatory breaches, expressed profound regret for his actions. He assured that his current firm’s working practices have been significantly improved, stating his intention to ensure clarity in future client engagements and secure written authorisation for instructions.
Similarly, Alexa Kordowicz, who has been qualified for five years, cooperated fully with the investigation. She admitted to following her senior colleague’s lead concerning potential conflicts of interest but has now committed to ensuring clearer communication and acquiring written instructions in future cases. Despite her relative inexperience, the SRA recognized her responsibility in the matter and fined her accordingly.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority remarked on the severity of Reynolds’ oversight, describing it as a ‘reckless disregard’ of necessary professional standards. Meanwhile, they noted Kordowicz’s compliance during the inquiry but held her accountable for her professional responsibilities as well, leading to her own financial penalty.
This case underscores the critical importance of adherence to client care protocols to uphold the integrity of legal practice.
