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 redeem three equitable charges on Property A for several months (in one case over two years) after completion, breaching an undertaking to the purchaser's solicitors. The Tribunal found the breach of undertaking (1.1) and failure to cooperate with the SRA (1.3) admitted and proved, and found allegation 1.2.2 (misleading Kreston Law on 21 April 2023 by stating she was chasing lenders when she had not checked the ledger) proved in part. Allegations 1.2.1 and 1.2.3 were not proved. The Tribunal expressly rejected dishonesty, finding her conduct arose from a genuine (though misplaced) belief that charges were automatically discharged on completion and from professional vulnerability, but found breaches of integrity (Principle 5), public trust (Principle 2) and Paragraph 1.4 of the Code. She was given a suspended suspension of 12 months (suspended 24 months), a £20,000 fine, a Restriction Order requiring an unrelated Finance Director, and ordered to pay costs of £27,258.68.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Honour professional undertakings

Aggravating factors:

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

Mitigating factors:

• Previously unblemished disciplinary and regulatory history of nearly 20 years
• Conduct related to a single matter involving one client
• No dishonesty found
• No personal gain and client monies never at risk
• Genuine remorse expressed
• Health difficulties, emotional vulnerability and immense personal/professional pressure at material time (death of senior colleague, loss of staff, bereavements)
• Openness about her actions and did not blame others
• All charges ultimately discharged
• Remedial step taken by employing a Finance Director