Arachchige Ranjith Panamulle

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

Duties found breached:

• Keep client informed and respond promptly
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Supervise staff and delegated work
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Overclaim made on public funds (Legal Aid)
• Failure to recognise importance of compliance with Solicitors Accounts Rules
• Supervised two offices when he could not properly supervise both
• Continued immigration work despite conditions on his Practising Certificate

Mitigating factors:

• No client had complained to the Law Society or Legal Services Commission
• No claims on the Compensation Fund or against his indemnity insurer
• Admitted the facts and all allegations
• Genuine mistake rather than dishonesty regarding overcharging; overpayment was modest
• On a previous occasion when overpaid £573 he immediately returned it
• Considerable personal achievements and very difficult circumstances (fled persecution in Sri Lanka, family tragedies)
• Held very little client money
• Disorganisation rather than dishonesty