Notable Cases
Advising on Largest Solicitor Account Deficit
The Axiom Ince matter is the largest ever solicitor’s client account deficit, at circa £64.5 million.
From the point of our instruction, we were instrumental in advising on and successfully obtaining freezing orders against Mr Modhwadia and various other entities whom it is believed had wrongly received significant monies from the firm’s client account.
Advising on Second Largest Solicitor Account Deficit
This matter arose out of the failure of Kingly Solicitors to properly safeguard the client account, resulting in the loss of £11.4 million from the client account. All 15 of its branches were shut down by the SRA in 2020. Until Axiom Ince this was the largest ever solicitor’s client account deficit in history.
In August of this year we were successful in acting for a Fixed Charge Receiver who had been put in by the Joint Liquidators in obtaining an Order for Possession in respect of one such borrower’s property.
Largest ever breach of a TPO
Devonshires' client acquired a large plot of land which was covered by multiple tree preservation orders (TPOs), both individual and group. The land had been neglected, many of the trees had grown wild, were in poor condition, and/or had fallen. The client hired two arborists to begin clearing the land. Unfortunately, the arborists removed a large number (100+) TPO-protected trees without council approval. The council pressed charges against the client and arborists.
Devonshires has recently acted alongside Rebecca Chalkley KC of Red Lion Chambers, in the largest ever breach of a TPO which is currently awaiting the outcome of an appeal. Click here to read more.
About Devonshires
Devonshires has been based in the City of London for more than 150 years. We are a full-service law firm acting for a wide range of clients including some of the world’s largest multi-national corporations. From our offices in in London, Leeds, Birmingham and Colchester our teams are filled with specialists in commercial, corporate, litigation, housing, employment, real estate, projects and property development.
Over the past few years, we have grown significantly and now have over 300 colleagues and a growing international reach.
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