Jaipaul Singh Thakur

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

Jaipaul Singh Thakur, a non-solicitor employed/remunerated by Chiltons Solicitors, accepted instructions and £500 each from two immigration clients (Ms K and Mr N), paying the monies into his personal bank account (used to fund the firm) and failing to progress the matters. The Tribunal did not find him credible and disbelieved his claim that he had not represented himself as a non-practising barrister (he had not qualified as a barrister). It was satisfied his conduct made it undesirable for him to be employed within the profession without Law Society consent and made a section 43 order, ordering him to pay costs subject to detailed assessment if not agreed. No express finding of dishonesty was recorded.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• No taking unfair advantage
• Keep client informed and respond promptly
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Caused The Law Society to expend considerable time and trouble
• Failures to respond and misleading representations about service of proceedings
• Lack of credibility before the Tribunal (sought adjournment claiming to be abroad yet appeared)