Maame Adjoa Djan-Krofa

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

Mrs Djan-Krofa, sole director of Pishon Gold, acted for the seller in a conveyancing transaction and failed to discharge three equitable charges on the property for an extended period after completion, breaching an undertaking to the purchaser's solicitors. She admitted breaching the undertaking (1.1) and failing to cooperate with the SRA (1.3). Allegation 1.2 (providing inaccurate/misleading information) was only part proved: 1.2.1 and 1.2.3 were not proved, and 1.2.2 was proved in part. The Tribunal expressly rejected dishonesty (Principle 4), finding her a credible witness who genuinely believed the Firm's automatic process had discharged the charges, but found a lack of integrity (Principle 5), breach of Principle 2 and Paragraph 1.4 for failing to check the client ledger. Sanction: 12 months suspension suspended for 24 months, £20,000 fine, a 24-month Restriction Order requiring a Finance Director, and costs of £27,258.68.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Cooperate openly with regulators
• Honour professional undertakings

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct repeated over a prolonged period; years passed before the charges were redeemed and removed from the Charges Register

Mitigating factors:

• No dishonesty found
• Previously unblemished disciplinary/regulatory career of nearly 20 years
• Conduct related to a single matter involving one client
• Genuine remorse expressed
• Significant personal and professional pressures (death of senior colleague, loss of staff, bereavements, health difficulties/Acute Stress Disorder)
• No personal gain and no client monies at risk
• All charges were ultimately discharged
• Openness and not seeking to blame others
• Admitted two of the allegations