Kengai Ponnampalam Chetty

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

The respondent solicitor was convicted at Croydon Crown Court on 29 July 2011 of two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation (dishonesty offences involving false/misleading legal aid bills of costs) and sentenced to five years' imprisonment concurrently. His application for permission to appeal was refused. Proceeding in his absence, the Tribunal found the allegation proved beyond reasonable doubt based on the Certificate of Conviction (Rule 15(2) SDPR) and that he breached Rules 1.02 and 1.06 SCC. The conviction was expressly for dishonesty offences, and the sentencing judge described "breath-taking dishonesty and greed." He showed no remorse and maintained innocence. The Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £2,643.86.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Conviction for serious dishonesty offences against the Legal Aid public fund
• Custodial sentence of five years' imprisonment
• No remorse shown; continued to maintain innocence and blame others
• Conduct described by sentencing judge as breath-taking dishonesty and greed; remorseless and ruthless
• Adverse publicity damaging the reputation of the profession