Rajeswary Ramasamy

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

Rajeswary Ramasamy, sole principal of Thames Chambers Solicitors, faced six allegations concerning the involvement of a struck-off solicitor (RSP) in her firm, plus improper VAT claims. The Tribunal found Allegations 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, part of 1.5, and 1.6 proved. It found she remunerated RSP (in the wider Cunnew sense), permitted him to conduct litigation and use the firm's 'MH' email account, and improperly claimed VAT when not registered. Allegation 1.2 (concerned in management) was found not proved. Dishonesty was alleged across all allegations but found proved only in respect of Allegation 1.4 - issuing a £600 bill for court attendance either done by a struck-off solicitor or for work she believed had not been done. Findings of lack of integrity were made on several allegations, but dishonesty was not proved on those due to the subjective limb of Twinsectra. Despite the dishonesty being a single incident, given her lack of insight and the multiple lack-of-integrity findings, the Tribunal found no exceptional circumstances and ordered she be struck off, with costs of £70,123.30. Her subsequent appeal to the High Court was dismissed.

Duties found breached:

• No abuse of process or coercive powers
• No conflict between current clients
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Not misrepresent regulated status
• Proper basis for allegations

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty in respect of Allegation 1.4
• Misconduct repeated over a period of time
• Failure to respond to a clear SRA warning in 2012 about RSP's involvement
• Respondent knew or ought to have known she was in material breach of obligations
• Lack of meaningful insight into the misconduct
• Inconsistent and unclear explanations to her regulator

Mitigating factors:

• No actual financial loss caused - the £600 fee and VAT claims were never paid
• Limited experience and difficult route into the profession
• Seriously unwell during part of the material time
• Highly regarded by her clients
• Dishonest act was a single incident