Samrhan Iqbal - Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng

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

Both Respondents were involved in a proposed transaction to procure a sham marriage to facilitate a false UK residency application, exposed by undercover News of the World journalists in June 2009. The Tribunal rejected their 'reverse entrapment' defence as not credible, finding the video evidence incontrovertible and that both were confident and familiar with sham marriage processes. Allegations were proved beyond reasonable doubt, and dishonesty was found against both under the Twinsectra combined test. The First Respondent (a solicitor) was struck off the Roll; the Second Respondent (an unadmitted clerk who falsely claimed to be a solicitor) was made subject to a Section 43 Order. Costs of £33,500 were ordered jointly and severally.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No improper use of client money
• Supervise staff and delegated work
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty found against both Respondents
• Familiarity with sham marriage procedures indicating prior involvement
• Second Respondent falsely claimed to be a solicitor
• Failure to report the 'clients' to police despite claimed intention
• No genuine remorse; not credible entrapment defence