In a concerning case of potential discrimination, the Co-op has refused to provide will-writing services to a customer solely on the basis of their country of birth. The customer, AK, is a British and German national who was born in Russia but has long since renounced his Russian citizenship.
AK approached the Co-op to update a will he had previously drafted with the company in 2020, listing his partner and daughter as beneficiaries. However, after a two-month delay, AK was informed that his request had been cancelled due to his Russian birthplace.
Despite confirming that AK has no ties to Russia and has dual British-German nationality, the Co-op claimed it had received “specialist legal advice” instructing it not to provide services to anyone born in Russia, regardless of their current citizenship status.
This stance appears to directly contradict UK government guidance, which states that individuals not designated under Russia-related sanctions regimes should not be prohibited from accessing financial and legal services. AK, who is not on any sanctions list, says he was reluctant to provide proof of his Russian citizenship renunciation, as he believes this should not be a requirement.
The Co-op has defended its position, citing the serious consequences it could face if found to be in breach of the Russia sanctions regulations. The company says it must carry out thorough due diligence to ensure compliance, and would be willing to serve AK if he provides the requested certificate.
This case raises concerning questions about the legality of discriminating against customers solely based on their country of birth, even if they hold alternative nationalities and have no current ties to the country in question. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact households, access to essential services like will-writing should not be restricted in this manner.
