Samrhan Iqbal - Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng

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

The SRA brought allegations against a solicitor (First Respondent) and his unadmitted clerk (Second Respondent) following an undercover News of the World investigation in June 2009 in which both Respondents offered to arrange a sham marriage to facilitate a false UK immigration application, quoting £12,000. The Second Respondent had falsely held himself out as a solicitor. The Respondents raised a 'reverse entrapment' defence, claiming they were merely playing along to gather evidence to report the journalists to police. The Tribunal, having viewed the video footage, found this defence incredible and not credible, noting the Respondents appeared confident and at ease and never reported the matter to police. All allegations were found proved beyond reasonable doubt and dishonesty was found against both Respondents on the combined Twinsectra test. The First Respondent was struck off the Roll and the Second Respondent made subject to a Section 43 Order. Both ordered to pay costs of £33,500 jointly and severally. Neither attended the hearing.

Duties found breached:

• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues
• No conflict between current clients
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Proper basis for allegations
• Supervise staff and delegated work
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty found against both Respondents on objective and subjective tests
• Familiarity with sham marriage procedures suggesting previous involvement in such arrangements
• Failure to report the matter to police or authorities despite claiming intention to do so
• Conduct described by Tribunal as disgraceful
• First Respondent treated core professional obligations with contempt