Munpreet Singh Virdee

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

Munpreet Singh Virdee, a former solicitor and director/COFA of Reemans Solicitors Ltd, faced five allegations relating to debit balances, deliberate falsification of 36 SDLT forms to underpay stamp duty, improper transfers of client money to the office account, using client money to keep the Firm trading, and failing as COFA to report breaches. The Tribunal found all allegations proved with express findings of dishonesty (though some Principle 7 and Outcome 7.1-7.4 elements were not proved). The Respondent did not attend. Finding extremely high culpability and no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £21,752.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Proven dishonesty
• Deliberate, calculated and repeated misconduct over a significant period
• Concealed conduct from colleagues
• Falsely told colleagues and HMRC the shortage was an error when he knew it was not
• Waited until client funds received before falsifying forms
• Experienced solicitor; extremely high culpability
• Significant harm to clients and to reputation of profession

Mitigating factors:

• Made some admissions
• Was open and frank during the investigation
• Repaid shortfall partly in 2016 and remainder via sale of his house in 2019