Fawzia Amtul-Habib Shuttari

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

Sole practitioner solicitor found guilty of conduct unbefitting a solicitor for failing to comply with a 16 July 1997 Direction of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors, failing to reply to correspondence, and unreasonable delay in assisting the Legal Aid Board over a costs order. No dishonesty was found or alleged. The Tribunal ordered indefinite suspension from 18 November 2000 unless she complied with the Direction by that date, in which case a £10,000 fine (additional to a £10,000 fine from 1999) would be substituted. It directed that the Direction be enforceable as a High Court order, ordered costs of £1,790.45, and recommended she practise only in approved employment or partnership.

Duties found breached:

• Avoid wasting the court's time
• No improper communication with the court
• Keep client informed and respond promptly
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Two earlier disciplinary appearances (1995 and 1999) showing she had learned little
• Arrogant disregard for duties and obligations as a solicitor
• Continued refusal to comply with a direction of her own professional body
• Inconvenience and expense caused to the Legal Aid Board and the Office, preventing them fulfilling their functions

Mitigating factors:

• Serious ill health from 1998 and seriously ill by early 1999
• Had to close office to public, unable to appoint a locum
• Significant personal debt
• Apologised for failures and assured greater future attentiveness
• Agreed to make the £4,500 payment to the Legal Aid Board