Kamlesh Jivan Bhalsod

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

Kamlesh Jivan Bhalsod, a sole practitioner, was found to have improperly and deliberately taken clients' money for his own purposes on numerous occasions, drawing large cash withdrawals from client account (allocating them to client matters such as Mr AT). He claimed the payments (around £350,000) were made under threats from a crime family. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated and that his acts were dishonest under the Twinsectra test, causing a Compensation Fund shortage of around £370,000. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £7,141.11.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate and repeated taking of clients' money for own purposes
• Large shortage on Compensation Fund of approximately £370,000
• Delay in reporting matter to police

Mitigating factors:

• Claimed he was subject to serious threats to kill from a crime family
• Cooperated with the Law Society and police
• Offered explanation and apology and accepted the Tribunal's sanction
• Reported poor mental and physical health