Mohammed Omar Deane and Mohammed Zafar Iqbal

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

Two solicitor brothers, Mohammed Omar Deane and Mohammed Zafar Iqbal, practised together as Dale Solicitors. A Law Society inspection found their books of account in a shambolic state, with a minimum cash shortage of £20,996.03 (plus a further £1,121 after inspection), unauthorised cash withdrawals, breaches of conveyancing conflict rules (acting for purchaser, vendor and lender), failure to disclose material information to lenders, an improper relationship with an introducer (Mr SF), and disregard of Law Society property fraud guidance. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated and, applying the Twinsectra test, expressly found dishonesty in respect of allegations (iv)-(vii). Both Respondents were struck off and ordered to pay costs jointly and severally.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Disclose material information to client
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Catalogue of serious breaches
• Minimum cash shortage of £20,996.03 on client funds
• Unauthorised cash payments totalling £37,872.09
• Conduct involving property fraud risk indicators (misrepresented purchase prices, direct deposits)
• Persistent failures even after opportunities to remedy
• Failed to notify lender clients of material information

Mitigating factors:

• Tribunal unable to find Respondents set out with intention of behaving dishonestly
• Some improvements made to accounting records during inspection period
• Partial rectification of shortfall (£11,801.04)