Disciplinary Record - Wendy Randall

Decision - Employee-related decision

Outcome: Approval of employment (section 41)

Outcome date: 6 March 2023

Published date: 6 April 2023

Firm details

Firm or organisation at date of publication

Name: HM Legal Services Limited

Address(es): Gorse Stacks House, George Street, Chester CH1 3EQ

Firm ID: 657043

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

HM Legal Services Limited has been granted permission under Section 41 of the Solicitors Act 1974 to employ Wendy Randall as a Wills Probate and Trusts Practitioner, subject to the following conditions:

1. Ms Randall’s work at all times will be directly supervised by Lindsey Kidd (SRA number 199591) or Ruth Heap (SRA number 340881). In their absence, Ms Randall’s work will be supervised by Caroline Jones (SRA number 381934), Ian Millington (SRA number 22212), Frances Cartwright (SRA number 637206) or Elizabeth Hassall (SRA number 139094).
2. Ms Randall’s employment is limited to that described in the section 41 approval of employment application form received on 7 August 2022, and the firm’s emails dated 14 November 2022 and 31 January 2023.
3. Ms Randall shall not have responsibility for or be involved in the training, supervision, or compliance of any other employee at HM Legal Services Limited.
4. Ms Randall may only conduct interviews with clients or take instructions from clients under the direct supervision of Lindsey Kidd, Ruth Heap, or other supervisors named in condition 1.
5. Ms Randall must not be held out as a solicitor. Her status as a non-solicitor must be made clear to clients.
6. Ms Randall is not able to attend the firm's office without one of the named supervisors being present to supervise her.
7. Ms Randall's files will be reviewed on a fortnightly basis for the first six months, following this all files will be reviewed on a monthly basis.
8. The supervision arrangements and job description may not be varied without our prior written approval.
9. This approval will lapse if Ms Randall’s employment with HM Legal Services Limited is terminated.
10. This approval and the conditions attached to it are subject to review at the absolute discretion of the SRA.

Reasons/basis

Wendy Randall was struck off the roll of solicitors on 22 August 2022. In accordance with Section 41 of the Solicitors Act 1974 any solicitor wishing to employ or remunerate her in connection with their practice as a solicitor must obtain the SRA's approval.

The SRA is satisfied that the above employment will not put public confidence in the administration of justice and the provision of legal services or the interests of clients at risk.

Decision - Prosecution

Outcome: Referral to Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal

Outcome date: 14 December 2021

Published date: 14 December 2021

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Hillyer McKeown LLP

Address(es): Gorse Stacks House, George Street, Chester CH1 3EQ

Firm ID: 514842

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Reasons/basis

Outcome of SDT Hearing

This notification relates to a Decision to prosecute before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. This is an independent Tribunal which reaches its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the Respondent. The Tribunal had certified that there was a case to answer.

On 22 August 2022 the SDT considered and approved an Agreed Outcome.   

Ms Randall was Struck Off the Roll.  

The SDT judgment will be available at  www.solicitorstribunal.org.uk