Between
| Applicant | Solicitors Regulation Authority Ltd |
|---|---|
| Respondent | Shashi Patel |
Case details
| Allegation | Breaches, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Dishonesty, Lack of Integrity, Money Laundering Regulations, Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, Solicitors' Accounts Rules, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019 |
|---|---|
| Outcome | Strike off |
| Executive summary | The Respondent was the Principal of the Firm, a sole practice, and held the roles of COLP, COFA and MLRO. The conduct in this matter came to the attention of the Applicant following a report by the Firm on 11 May 2022 that it was victim of an alleged cyber fraud. As a result of the referral, the Applicant formally commenced a forensic investigation into the Firm in October 2022, culminating in the FIR dated 17 March 2023. Serious and numerous breaches of solicitors’ Accounts Rules and a breach of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 were identified in the investigation. The Applicant intervened in the Firm on 5 September 2023. Mr Patel was referred to the Tribunal on 25 April 2025. Allegations included dishonesty and breach of integrity. Mr Patel admitted negligence but denied dishonesty. He did not attend and was not represented at the substantive hearing which, after due consideration, was heard in his absence. The Tribunal found all allegations proved on the balance of probabilities and struck him off the Roll of Solicitors. |