Dipakkumar Gopaldas Lakhani

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

The Respondent, a solicitor admitted in 1986, faced allegations arising from accounts rule breaches (where his partner Mr Richmond had misappropriated client funds, leaving a minimum shortage of £119,715.63) and from four conveyancing transactions in which he acted for both purchaser clients and TSB as mortgagee. The Tribunal found him strictly (not culpably) liable for the accounts breaches. It found dishonesty in that he wrote an untrue letter to a client (Mr B) stating proceedings had been issued when they had not, failed to disclose material facts to TSB, submitted false/misleading Reports on Title, and created backdated 'letters of disclosure' and a false attendance note inserted on file to conceal his shortcomings. The Tribunal expressly found blatant dishonesty and ordered him struck off the Roll and to pay costs (including the Investigation Accountant's and expert Dr Giles' costs), subject to detailed assessment if not agreed.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Disclose material information to client
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Created backdated documents ex post facto to cover up his shortcomings
• Was fully aware of The Law Society's Green Card warning on mortgage fraud indicators
• Maintained false assertions until shortly before the hearing, putting the Law Society to expense of forensic expert evidence
• Continued to use the deficient client account in day-to-day practice while shortage remained

Mitigating factors:

• Made admissions, albeit late
• Did not act for personal financial gain (unlike his partner who misappropriated funds)
• No client suffered uncompensated loss; SIF indemnified losses
• No criminal convictions
• High calibre written references; held in high regard as hardworking, diligent and competent