A solicitor accused of failing to redeem a mortgage promptly after a property sale is facing several charges at a disciplinary tribunal.

Kirsten Von Wedel, who owned now defunct Berkshire firm K Law, is also charged with failing to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax on time. She denies the charges, it is reported in The Law Society Gazette.

It emerged at the opening of the hearing this week that Von Wedel is alleged to have engaged in offensive and threatening communication.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) also alleges that she made at least one improper transfer to the firm’s client account, and caused the transfer of funds purporting to be for legal costs she was not entitled to. This left a client account shortfall of around £182,000.

Foreign account

Von Wedel told the SRA that she had attempted to redeem the mortgage but had failed. The mortgage was finally redeemed three months after completion.

She said the payment had been made from a foreign account so her ex-husband would not be able to see her financial activity, but this payment had got “lost in the system”.

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal heard that around £135,000 in Stamp Duty, Land Registry fees and other costs were still outstanding a year after the sale completed. The clients claimed this back from the SRA’s compensation fund, but still had to find £7,000 to cover penalties for late payment.

Von Wedel said the delay in repayment was down to issues during the lockdown with illness and providing home schooling.

The tribunal heard that Von Wedel sent four emails to a client who had complained about her, which were now subject to disciplinary action.

The hearing continues.