(unnamed respondent)

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

This was a 2026 application by Ashtar Abbas Dhami to remove practice conditions imposed by the SDT on 2 November 2017. In the original 2017 proceedings the Tribunal found proven breaches of the SRA Accounts Rules 2011 and Principles 2, 8 and 10, plus Outcome 10.7, involving lack of integrity; the allegation of dishonesty was NOT proved. He was suspended six months and made subject to ongoing practice restrictions. On the present application, the Tribunal found that, given nearly nine years of incident-free supervised criminal legal aid practice and effective supervision, the totality of restrictions was no longer necessary. It granted the application in part, removing four conditions but retaining the bars on sole practice and on holding COLP/COFA roles. The Applicant was ordered to pay costs of £4,000 (reduced from £4,750 sought).

Aggravating factors:

• Original misconduct was deliberate, repeated and extended over time involving multiple clients
• Applicant held senior roles (director, COLP, COFA) with high culpability
• Lack of detailed evidence of reflection/training addressing accounts rules, client money or ethics

Mitigating factors:

• Nearly nine years of compliance with all conditions since 2017
• Practised exclusively in low-risk criminal legal aid work without incident
• Subject to effective close supervision throughout employment at Newgate Solicitors
• Continuous professional development undertaken
• Demonstrated remorse, professionalism and reliability per employer's evidence
• No intention to establish own firm