Kamlesh Jivan Bhalsod

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

Sole practitioner Kamlesh Jivan Bhalsod took clients' money for his own purposes on multiple occasions, claiming he was paying off a crime family making threats against him. The Law Society intervened in his practice. Compensation Fund claims totalled £669,378, with a shortage of around £370,000. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated and was in no doubt the takings were deliberate and dishonest. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £7,141.11. The Respondent did not appear; the hearing proceeded in his absence after substituted service.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• No improper solicitation or touting

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate and repeated taking of clients' money for his own purposes
• Large shortage on client account (approx £370,000) and Compensation Fund claims of £669,378
• Damage to the reputation of the solicitors' profession

Mitigating factors:

• Respondent claimed he was subject to serious threats to kill from a crime family
• Offered explanation and apology and accepted whatever sanction the Tribunal imposed
• Claimed poor mental and physical health