A former solicitor's boss could face prison time after breaching a court order.

Dorota Newman, who owned historic Jarmans Solicitors in Sittingbourne, has also been ordered to cough up nearly £40,000.

Jarmans, which had been in the town for 150 years and was based out of Conqueror Court, was closed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in March last year under Ms Newman’s stewardship.

The SRA found she had authorised 18 transfers from client to office accounts, causing a shortage of almost £3,700, and failed to ensure the firm's books of accounts were maintained in compliance with its rules.

Then, on March 21, the High Court of Justice Business and Property froze £346,000 worth of her assets.

While this freeze is in place, she is unable to sell her mortgaged apartment in Fulham and two properties in Exeter, Devon.

It follows an application to the High Court from Jay Sahota, who sold Jarmans to Ms Newman, who says she owes him nearly £1 million after she purchased the practice in January 2022.

Mr Sahota is seeking the full amount and the costs of the legal case, which is based on a breach of contract.

But on Friday, April 4, Ms Newman was found to have been in breach of the order by the High Court.

During the session, which Ms Newman failed to appear for, Mr Justice Marcus Smith found she had failed to disclose all her assets that are above £1,000 within 10 working days.

Because of this, Mr Sahota’s lawyer, managing director of Ali Legal, Akbar Ali, is now permitted to make an application to commit Ms Newman to prison.

She has until 4pm on Thursday, April 17, to bring forward the affidavit declaring her assets and pay £38,000 to Mr Sahota for legal costs.

KentOnline has approached Ms Newman for comment.