Disciplinary Record - John Szepietowski

Decision - Control of practice

Outcome: Condition

Outcome date: 8 July 2024

Published date: 20 August 2024

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Eldons Berkeley Limited

Address(es): 7 Ely Place, London, EC1N 6RY

Firm ID: 572779

Firm or organisation at date of publication

Name: Audley Chaucer Limited

Address(es): Bewley House, Park Road, Esher, KT10 8NP

Firm ID: 644223

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Mr Szepietowski's practising certificate for 2023/2024 is subject to the following conditions:

1. Mr Szepietowski may not have sole responsibility for authorising client account payments or transfers.
2. Mr Szepietowski may not act as a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) or compliance officer for finance and administration (COFA) for any authorised body, or head of legal practice (HOLP) or head of finance and administration (HOFA) in any authorised non-SRA firm.

In these conditions the terms are as defined in the SRA Glossary.

Reasons/basis

The above conditions are necessary in the public interest. They are reasonable and proportionate having regard to the purposes set out in regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations, and the regulatory objectives and principles

Decision - Prosecution

Outcome: Referral to Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal

Outcome date: 23 January 2023

Published date: 27 March 2024

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Eldons Berkeley Limited

Address(es): 7 Ely Place, London EC1N 6RY

Firm ID: 572779

Firm or organisation at date of publication

Name: Audley Chaucer Limited

Address(es): Bewley House, Park Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 8NP

Firm ID: 644223

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Reasons/basis

This notification relates to a Decision to prosecute before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.  This is an independent Tribunal which will reach its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the Solicitor.  The Tribunal has certified that there is a case to answer in respect of allegations which are or include that :- 

On or around 3 July 2017, Mr Szepietowski caused or permitted a payment to be deducted from the client account ledger for a client’s commercial conveyancing matter without the client’s authority.

 The allegations are subject to a Hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and are as yet unproven. 

Decision - Control of practice

Outcome: Condition

Outcome date: 15 December 2023

Published date: 20 December 2023

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Eldons Berkeley Limited

Address(es): 7 Ely Place, London EC1N 6RY

Firm ID: 572779

Firm or organisation at date of publication

Name: Audley Chaucer Limited

Address(es): Bewley House, Park Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 8NP

Firm ID: 644223

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

John Szepietowski's practising certificate for 2022/2023 is subject to the following conditions:

1. Mr Szepietowski is not to have sole responsibility for authorising client account payments or transfers.
2. Mr Szepietowski is not to act as a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) or compliance officer for finance and administration (COFA) for any authorised body, or head of legal practice (HOLP) or head of finance and administration (HOFA) in any authorised non-SRA firm.

In these conditions the terms are as defined in the SRA Glossary.

Reasons/basis

The above interim conditions are made under rule 3.2 of the SRA Regulatory and Disciplinary Procedure Rules, which states that at any stage an authorised decision maker may, pending a final decision by the SRA or the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, impose interim conditions on the practising certificate of a solicitor. We are satisfied that these conditions are necessary in the public interest or for the protection of the public.