Kiran Nahar - Farhat Malik-Masud

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

Kiran Nahar, an inexperienced solicitor, purchased Norman Saville & Co and ran an online bulk conveyancing/immigration practice from a Birmingham office that was effectively controlled by non-solicitor third parties (WS, MC and company J), into which up to ~40% of fee income was diverted. Client 'agreed fees' were paid into office account in breach of SARs, leaving a client account shortage. The Tribunal found multiple breaches proved, including reckless conduct, failure to co-operate, and an express finding of dishonesty (Twinsectra test satisfied) for giving false statements to the SRA about the funding of the practice. She was struck off. The Second Respondent, a part-time salaried partner who worked only part of 17 days, was found minimally culpable; her admitted breaches were largely constructive and she was reprimanded. Costs of £80,000 total were apportioned £70,000 (First) and £10,000 (Second), not enforceable without leave.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Act in the client's best interests
• Fair, reasonable and lawful fees
• No conflict between current clients
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Firm governance, systems and compliance
• Cooperate openly with regulators
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest misstatement to regulator about source of practice funding maintained over several weeks
• Continued operating the same business model after the SRA began investigating, keeping client funds at risk
• Allowed non-solicitor third parties (WS, MC, J) to control and benefit from the practice
• Client account shortage of not less than £175,920.42

Mitigating factors:

• Inexperienced solicitor, out of her depth and vulnerable to manipulation by third parties
• Not regarded as a generally dishonest person
• No previous disciplinary findings
• Positive testimonials and good character
• Personal suffering: depression, bankruptcy, loss of employment