Charles Ogbonna
Azotam
Solicitor
418957
Decision - Prosecution
Outcome: Referral to Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
Outcome date: 17 February 2025
Published date: 3 July 2025
Firm details
Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Charles Hill & Co Solicitors
Address(es): 1st Floor, 7-13 Camberwell Road, London SE5 0EZ
Firm ID: 641074
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Reasons/basis
This notification relates to a Decision to prosecute before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. This is an independent Tribunal which will reach its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the Solicitor. The Tribunal has certified that there is a case to answer in respect of allegations which are or include that:-
- Between 1 January 2020 and 31 January 2024, Mr Azotam misappropriated client monies for the benefit of himself and his Firm creating a minimum client account shortage that has not been replaced.
- On 6 March 2023 and 14 November 2023, Mr Azotam issued cheques to a client when he knew that the Firm did not have sufficient funds to honour either of them, thereby misleading the client.
- Between 1 April 2020 and 8 March 2024, Mr Azotam failed to ensure the Firm's books of account were maintained in compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules.
The allegations are subject to a Hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and are as yet unproven.
Decision - Closure
Outcome: Intervention
Outcome date: 12 March 2024
Published date: 12 March 2024
Firm details
Firm or organisation at date of publication and at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Charles Hill & Co Solicitors
Address(es): 7-13 Camberwell Road, London, SE5 0EZ
Firm ID: 641074
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
To intervene into the recognised sole practice of Charles Ogbonna Azotam, Charles Hill & Co Solicitors.
Reasons/basis
There is reason to suspect dishonesty on Mr Azotam’s part in connection with his practice as a solicitor - paragraph 1(1)(a)(i) Schedule 1, Part I Solicitors Act 1974.
Intervening agents
John Owen of Gordons LLP, 1 New Augustus Street, Bradford, BD1 5LL has been appointed as the intervening agent.
For enquiries please call 0113 227 0395 or email intervention@gordonsllp.com