Rachel
Bingley-Wakefield
Employee
7587939
Decision - Employee-related decision
Outcome: Control of non-qualified staff (Section 43 / Section 99 order)
Outcome date: 5 November 2025
Published date: 21 November 2025
Firm details
Firm or organisation at date of publication and at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Chattertons Legal Services Limied
Address(es): 5 South Street, Horncastle, LN9 6DS
Firm ID: 631531
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
Who does this decision relate to?
Rachel Bingley-Wakefield, who is not a solicitor, was employed by Chattertons Legal Services Limited whose head office is at 5 South Street, Horncastle, LN9 6DS between 14 September 2020 and 31 July 2024.
Summary of decision
A finding of dishonesty was made against Ms Bingley-Wakefield, and she was made subject to a disqualification order under section 99 of the Legal Services Act 2007.
The SRA has disqualified Ms Bingley-Wakefield from holding any of the following roles in law firms regulated by the SRA:
- Head of Legal Practice
- Head of Finance and Administration
- A manager
- An employee
The facts of the case
On or around 15 December 2022, Ms Bingley-Wakefield electronically copied her clients' signatures from a deed onto two other documents in a conveyancing transaction (namely a contract for the purchase of land and a plan attached to a TP1 transfer). She did so without the knowledge or consent of the relevant clients.
Our decision on sanction
Ms Bingley-Wakefield's conduct breached relevant duties that applied to her as an employee of the firm, namely, Principles 2, 4 and 5 of the SRA Principles 2019.
It was found that it would be undesirable for Ms Bingley-Wakefield to act as a Head of Legal Practice, Head of Finance and Administration, a manager or an employee of a body licensed in accordance with section 99 of the Legal Servcies Act 2007.
Ms Bingley-Wakefield was disqualified from holding any of these roles.
She was also directed to pay costs of £1,350.
SRA Principles 2019
Principle 2 - You act in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors' profession and in legal services provided by authorised persons.
Principle 4 - You act with honesty
Principle 5 - You act with integrity