Gemma
Clarke
Employee
7814504
Decision - Employee-related decision
Outcome: Control of non-qualified staff (Section 43 / Section 99 order)
Outcome date: 25 February 2026
Published date: 20 March 2026
Firm details
Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Knights Professional Services Limited
Address(es): The Brampton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire
Firm ID: 620595
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Decision details
Who does this decision relate to?
Gemma Clarke who is not a solicitor, was employed as a senior paralegal by Knights Professional Services Limited whose head office is at The Brampton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire between 6 January 2020 and 30 June 2023.
Summary of decision
Ms Clarke was made subject to a disqualification order under section 99 of the Legal Services Act 2007.
The SRA has disqualified Ms Clarke 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 1 May 2024, Ms Clarke was convicted of the offence of stalking involving serious alarm/distress.
On 16 September 2024, Ms Clarke was convicted of a further offence of stalking involving serious alarm/distress and of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.
It was found that Ms Clarke’s conduct breached relevant duties that applied to her as an employee of the firm, namely, Principles 2 and 5 of the SRA Principles 2019.
Our decision on sanction
It was found that it would be undesirable for Ms Clarke 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 Services Act 2007.
Ms Clarke was disqualified from holding any of these roles.
She was also directed to pay costs of £600.
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 5 You act with integrity.