Iwona Dettlaff

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

Solicitor Iwona Dettlaff practised as sole director of Dettlaff Limited. In medical negligence matters for Mrs J and Mr T, she falsely told Mr T a medical expert had been instructed, wrote to opposing solicitors claiming client instructions she did not have, failed to advise clients on funding/costs, failed to respond to clients and regulators, retained disbursement monies without paying them, and failed to declare she was subject to Section 12(1) Solicitors Act 1974 (eight judgment debts totalling £23,630). Although the allegation alleged dishonesty, the Tribunal found she had failed to act with integrity but made no express finding of dishonesty. She was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £12,620.34.

Duties found breached:

• Act in the client's best interests
• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Hold a current practising certificate
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Cheques written and recorded on client ledgers but not dispatched, disguising the true position in the firm's accounts
• Kept clients in the dark and failed to report crucial matters
• Serious consequences to Mrs J who faced a large costs bill she was unaware of
• Numerous failures to respond to the regulator
• Falsely told Mr T a medical expert had been instructed when it had not
• Wrote to Radcliffes claiming instructions from Mrs J which she did not have

Mitigating factors:

• Clients had been compensated
• Respondent admitted the facts and allegations and did not contest proceedings
• Respondent suffered serious financial difficulties
• Tribunal accepted she did not intend costs liability to fall on Mrs J and had tried to shoulder those costs herself