Alexander Owusu

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

The Respondent, a solicitor at Firm 1 and later director of Fairview Solicitors, remunerated Person A, a struck off solicitor convicted of conspiracy to facilitate breach of immigration law (sentenced to 8.5 years), to handle at least 13 immigration client matters. He failed to carry out proper checks before engaging Person A and continued making payments after learning in July 2016 that Person A had been struck off, contrary to s41 of the Solicitors Act 1974. He also failed to report the matter to the SRA. The Tribunal found all three allegations proved on admissions and documents. No dishonesty was alleged or found, though a lack of integrity was found. Culpability assessed as medium. The Tribunal imposed a 2-year suspension, itself suspended for 2 years, with a restriction order, and ordered costs of £24,000.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Firm governance, systems and compliance
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Respondent ought reasonably to have known his conduct materially breached his obligations to protect the public and reputation of the profession
• Experienced solicitor with direct control over the circumstances

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent was deceived to some extent by Person A who was not straightforward about his situation
• Took immediate action to terminate the arrangement once he learned Person A had been struck off
• Single episode in an otherwise long unblemished career
• Made admissions at the start of the hearing
• Expressed remorse and regret
• Good character references
• Cooperated with regulator and proceedings
• Motivated by pity for Person A and gained nothing financially

⚠ figures not found verbatim in the source were dropped: ["review_dishonesty_finding_cue_present"]