A solicitor has been banned from the practice after taking advantage of a client’s will to pay herself £2,000.
During her time at Wilkins Solicitors, Sarah Anne Hemmings had not advised her client to take independent advice prior to bequeathing the sum of £2,000.
Following the death of the client, Ms Hemmings consulted the with Solicitors Regulation Authority ethics helpline as well as her firm, reaching the conclusion that she was not entitled to the legacy.
The following year, however, the former solicitor requested that a cheque for the amount set out should be made payable to National Savings from the client account. She also stated that it would be highlighted in the details section that this was for an investment in her Premium Bonds.
Ms Hemmings subsequently admitted that the funds were in fact for herself, telling the firm that she ‘needed the money’.
During the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearing, Ms Hemmings admitted to acting dishonestly as well as concealing from her firm that she was, in fact, the true beneficiary.
