Law Society Gazette
A former law firm owner who ignored the terms of a freezing order made against her has been sentenced to 12 months in prison. In Sahota & Anor v Newman, Mr Justice Adam Johnson said Dorota Newman had committed a serious contempt of court by failing to engage with legal proceedings for several months.
Newman had been required to provide information about all assets valued over £1,000 under the terms of a freezing order which had been applied for by solicitor Jay Sahota.
Sahota had sold Kent firm Jarmans Solicitors to Newman in 2013 but a dispute emerged over payments under the share purchase agreement.
After a default in payment by Newman, a mediation and settlement agreement was entered into in 2023 requiring her to pay a total of £300,000. But the defaults continued and by April 2024, £190,000 was outstanding: Sahota received a judgment in default and then applied for the freezing order.
The judge said there had then been a ‘continued lack of engagement’ from Newman, who is now believed to be living abroad. Attempts were made at personal service of the freezing order at addresses in London and Exeter, and Whatsapp messages – allowed as a method of service by the court – were ignored and the number blocked.
