A solicitor at a practice that describes itself as ‘London’s top law firm’ has been rebuked for allowing a ‘poorly drafted’ judicial review application to be submitted by a non-qualified caseworker.
In December 2022 the caseworker at Alpha Springs Solicitors made an application to the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal for permission to apply for a judicial review of a Home Office decision made in respect of Client A, the Solicitors Regulation Authority found. An Upper Tribunal Judge certified the application as totally without merit in March 2023. A wasted costs order of £1,492 was made against the firm.
The SRA reviewed Client A’s file and found that the application: failed to adhere to the Pre-Action Protocol for Judicial Review; was inappropriately submitted under the urgent consideration procedure; failed to provide key documents, including the submissions to the Home Office in relation to the decision being challenged; and ‘was poorly drafted’.
Ignatius Etukudoh, a solicitor and former sole practitioner of the firm, admitted that by allowing, or failing to prevent, a non-qualified employee of his firm from submitting a meritless application for permission to apply for judicial review, he had breached the SRA’s code.
The SRA considered Etukudoh had cooperated with the SRA’s investigation and had shown insight and understanding of his regulatory obligations. He expressed ‘remorse, regret and apologised for the misconduct’. There had been no adverse regulatory decisions made against him previously.
In a published ruling, the SRA recorded that Etukudoh is rebuked because he ‘failed to support the effective administration of justice’. He agreed to pay the £300 costs of the investigation.
Alpha Spring Solicitors says on its website: ‘We are London’s top law firm. Our team consists of experienced attorneys that have been carefully selected to make us the best in our locality.’
