Mina Panchal

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

Mina Panchal, admitted 1996, altered a £415.52 final-pay cheque from her former employer Blatchfords to £1,415.52 and presented it for payment in July 2000. She admitted the allegation, though stated she could not remember doing it, attributing her state to the recent suicide of her brother. The Tribunal found the allegation substantiated and her actions dishonest. Despite finding dishonesty, given the exceptional and tragic circumstances, the Tribunal imposed indefinite suspension rather than striking off, leaving open the possibility of a future application to resume practice. She was ordered to pay costs of £1,410.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Cheque was carefully altered to closely match existing handwriting, indicating deliberate conduct

Mitigating factors:

• Exceptional and tragic personal circumstances - recent suicide of her brother
• Receiving grief counselling at the time
• Conduct out of character per partner's reference
• Relative youth and inexperience
• Repaid all the money (£1,000)
• Admitted the allegation and expressed bitter regret and apology