A paralegal from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, has been disqualified by the Solicitors Regulation Authority after admitting to misleading clients in the administration of estates.
Jessica Sayer acted for clients between January 2022 and October 2024 while working as a paralegal in the private client department at Kidd & Spoor Solicitors Limited, where she was responsible for managing a number of client files.
In one case in January 2024, Sayer was instructed to calculate and pay the inheritance tax (IHT) in the administration of an estate, including communicating with the banks and life assurance companies, preparing probate forms, closing accounts, selling properties and distributing funds.
In April 2024, Sayer made an application for grant of probate to the Probate Registry on behalf of the client, but mistakenly attached a copy of the will rather than the original. When the client asked Sayer for an update in July, she said she had spoken to the Probate Registry and hoped the application would be granted imminently. Almost two weeks later, Sayer contacted the Probate Registry, and they confirmed they required sight of the original will.
When the client shared concerns over the ongoing delay, Sayer said she had asked her supervisor about making a complaint to the Probate Registry – despite not doing so and being aware the delays were caused by her failure to submit the original copy of the will. Instead, the SRA said, she “misled the client by stating the delay was due to a backlog at the Probate Registry.”
In a second case in January 2024 Sayer was instructed to deal with the administration of an estate, including obtaining evaluations, preparing and submitting IHT forms, cashing assets and distributing funds to the beneficiaries.
Following a complaint from the client in October 2024, it was discovered Ms Sayer had informed the executors she had submitted the IHT forms, obtained the code from HMRC, paid the IHT due and applied for the grant of probate despite not having completed any of this work.
A third case identified by the SRA, which began in April 2023, concerned the grant of letters of administration. Sayer sent a number of emails which purported to provide updates to the client, including a September email advising the client the application had been submitted but was subject to delays.
In March 2024, Sayer said she had received notification that the application had been granted but was waiting to receive the official sealed copies. It was later discovered that the application has not been submitted until July 2024.
Although it decided disqualification was a proportionate decision, the SRA noted Sayer has shown remorse for her conduct, fully co-operated with the investigation, made early admissions and taken steps to address her behaviour. It added:
“Disqualification is a proportionate outcome in the public interest because it will prevent Ms Sayer from undertaking a similar role at another firm and helps maintain public trust in the profession.”
