Shazad Khan

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

Shazad Khan, a solicitor's clerk acting as cashier/bookkeeper at Singh & Company, falsified client account records to conceal a shortage that had existed since March 2000. He admitted dishonestly withholding and using client cash totalling £5,778.50 for his own purposes, and altering reconciliations to hide the shortfall. He also offered the Law Society's Investigating Officer an inducement (including his BMW) not to report the breaches. The Respondent did not appear. The Tribunal found all allegations proved, made an express finding of dishonesty and serious breach of trust, made a s.43 order, and ordered costs of £1,500.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Professional independence
• No taking unfair advantage
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Sought to conceal wrongdoing by altering firm's records
• Attempted to bribe the Law Society Investigation Officer (offered his BMW and 'anything') not to report the shortage
• Serious breach of trust in handling clients' money
• Initially blamed his employer before admitting his own theft

Mitigating factors:

• Made admissions to the Investigating Officer