Ahmed Ajina

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

Ahmed Ajina, a solicitor and Partner at Seddons Law LLP specialising in immigration, was found to have provided misleading statements to clients and his firm about the progress of immigration matters between December 2019 and March 2021, including concealing for over 15 months that Client A's business plan had been rejected, and instructing a junior colleague to mislead Client B. He also altered an agreement in May 2020 to submit misleading information to the Home Office. The Tribunal found all allegations proved, including express findings of dishonesty under the Ivey test. The hearing proceeded in his absence after his adjournment application (citing health during Ramadan) was refused for lack of supporting medical evidence. Finding no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £39,612.50 plus VAT of £7,922.50.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• All allegations involved dishonesty
• Dishonest conduct continued over an extended period (over 16 months for Client A)
• Respondent was an experienced solicitor and Partner who should have known conduct breached professional obligations
• Significant abuse of trust
• Involved a junior colleague to mislead Client B
• Some degree of planning in altering documents

Mitigating factors:

• Previously unblemished career with no prior disciplinary findings
• Self-reported conduct to his Managing Partner
• Cooperated with the investigation and made prompt admissions when interviewed