Soham Nitin Panchamiya

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

The Respondent, a solicitor at Reed Smith, falsely claimed to his firm between 22 September and 13 November 2023 that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment, providing elaborate false detail. On around 19 October 2023 he provided the firm with a falsified/amended medical report purportedly signed by Dr Ziade to support the false diagnosis and confirm fitness to work. The doctor confirmed the report was a forgery. The Respondent admitted both allegations including dishonesty, which the Tribunal found proved. The Tribunal rejected the contention that exceptional circumstances applied (despite a medical report from Dr Anand and the Respondent's personal difficulties), finding culpability high given the prolonged deception and multiple compounding falsehoods. Strike off was the only appropriate and proportionate sanction.

Duties found breached:

• Comply with rules of foreign jurisdictions
• Honesty
• Integrity

Aggravating factors:

• High culpability given the nature and extent of dishonest conduct
• Prolonged period of deception of nearly two months
• Multiple ways in which the deception was perpetrated and compounded
• Numerous opportunities to correct the false impression that were not taken
• Provision of a forged/falsified medical report
• Significant damage to the reputation of the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted all allegations including dishonesty
• No previous disciplinary matters
• Personal/medical difficulties at the material time (per Dr Anand's report)
• Expression of remorse