Disciplinary Record - Heather Cordeaux

Decision - Employee-related decision

Outcome: Control of non-qualified staff (Section 43 / Section 99 order)

Outcome date: 26 October 2018

Published date: 30 November 2018

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Heptonstalls LLP

Address(es): 7-15 Gladstone Terrace, Goole, East Yorkshire, DN14 5AH

Firm ID: 439271

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

IN THE MATTER OF Heather Claire Cordeaux whose last known address was in Hull, East Yorkshire.

A person who is or was involved in legal practice but is not a solicitor

Finding

Miss Cordeaux was involved in a legal practice (as defined by section 43(1A) of the Solicitors Act 1974) but not as a solicitor and has occasioned or been a party to an act or default which involved such conduct on her part that in the opinion of the Society it would be undesirable for her to be involved in a legal practice in any of the ways described in the order below.

Reasons/basis

The facts

On 15 July 2013, Miss Cordeaux commenced employment with the firm, Heptonstalls LLP, as a fee earner in its personal injury department. She remained in this role until 5 April 2017 when she began a training contract with the firm. Heptonstalls LLP is a recognised body. On 18 July 2017, Miss Cordeaux was dismissed by the firm.

It was found that Miss Cordeaux had included false and misleading information in attendance notes and in letters and had provided false and misleading information to her employer between December 2016 and July 2017. Her conduct occurred in relation to four personal injury matters.

A finding of dishonesty was also made against Miss Cordeaux.

Miss Cordeaux was made subject to an order pursuant to section 43(2) of the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended) and was ordered to pay the SRA's costs of £600 in investigating this matter.

Other information

Order

To make an order pursuant to section 43 that with effect from the date of the letter notifying Miss Cordeaux of this decision:

1. no solicitor shall employ or remunerate her in connection with his/her practice as a solicitor;
2. no employee of a solicitor shall employ or remunerate her in connection with the solicitor's practice;
3. no recognised body shall employ or remunerate her;
4. no manager or employee of a recognised body shall employ or remunerate her in connection with the business of that body;
5. no recognised body or manager or employee of such a body shall permit her to be a manager of the body; and
6. no recognised body or manager or employee of such a body shall permit her to have an interest in the body

except in accordance with a Society permission.