Chinwe Uzo Chikwendu
Solicitor
418269

Decision - Prosecution

Outcome: Referral to Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal

Outcome date: 10 July 2023

Published date: 21 December 2023

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Riverbrooke Solicitors Ltd

Address(es): 42 Brook Street, London W1K 5DB

Firm ID: 562650

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:- 

1. While acting as a solicitor at Riverbrook Solicitors Ltd , and as Manager and Owner of the Firm, and in respect of the conduct of an Employment Tribunal Matter on behalf of a client, between around June 2018 and 8 August 2018, Mrs Chikwendu (the First Respondent) and Mrs Undiga Emuekpere (the Second respondent), prepared and/or caused to be prepared a grossly inflated bill of costs;
2. While acting as a solicitor at, and Manager and Owner, the Firm, Mrs Chikwendu failed to cooperate with the SRA by failing to provide further information, documentation and explanations requested in: 
   1. A letter from Capsticks Solicitors on behalf of the SRA dated 21 August 2023;
   2. A Notice under section 44B of the Solicitors Act 1974 dated 5 October 2023. 

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