Pritesh Naik

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

The respondent solicitor was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of 5 counts of transmitting an image/sound from inside a prison without authority and of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, receiving a 5-year custodial sentence. The conspiracy involved arranging for a defendant to plead guilty on a false basis to a firearms offence to ease co-defendants' positions. The Tribunal found the admitted allegation (breach of Principles 2 and 6) proved beyond reasonable doubt and struck him off the Roll, ordering £1,000 costs not to be enforced without leave. No express finding of dishonesty was made (the finding was lack of integrity).

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Criminal conviction for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and unauthorised transmissions from prison
• Conduct struck at the heart of the system of justice
• Sentencing judge noted being a solicitor was a serious aggravating feature
• Serious conviction attracting a 5-year custodial sentence

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted the breach based on the conviction
• Attended the hearing
• Previous good character / no prior disciplinary matters
• Newly qualified at the time of the events