J Kowalik

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

Julian Roger Victor Kowalik, a solicitor admitted in 1992 practising as Seakens Solicitors, faced numerous allegations of misconduct including failing to disclose substantial discounts to lender clients, inadequate supervision (allowing a s.43-barred individual to conduct immigration work), misusing his client account in a property investment scheme that caused retired clients to lose £41,875, charging fees for no legal work, practising in breach of practising certificate conditions, improperly withdrawing client money to his personal/office accounts, failing to rectify accounts errors, writing a misleading letter to Eversheds, and facilitating suspicious conveyancing transactions with mortgage fraud features. The Respondent did not attend. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated and made express findings of dishonesty applying the Twinsectra test on all dishonesty allegations except the misleading letter to Eversheds (allegation (i)), where it accepted the letter was a 'stalling tactic' without dishonest intent. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs subject to detailed assessment.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Disclose material information to client
• No improper use of client money
• Hold a current practising certificate
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Previous appearance before the Tribunal in 2003 (reprimanded for accounts rule breaches)
• Multiple findings of dishonesty
• Vulnerable retired clients (Mr and Mrs Stallard, aged 66) lost their money (£41,875)
• Conduct facilitated potential mortgage fraud
• Misleading client ledger entries created to hide a second mortgage advance
• Significant cash shortage on client account (minimum £35,106.12)