Natasha Simmon Schand - Aneet Kaur Garcha

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

Two solicitor partners of Eden Solicitors faced disciplinary proceedings. The First Respondent self-reported having removed over £100,000 of client money; she had been convicted at Harrow Crown Court of fraud by abuse of position (12 months' imprisonment) for taking c.£163,000 from client account for salaries, debts and gambling. The Tribunal made an express finding of dishonesty against her under the Twinsectra test and struck her off, ordering £10,000 costs. The Second Respondent had abandoned the practice during a period of depression, failing to keep files secure, cooperate with the SRA, or deliver Accountant's Reports; she was found not dishonest but was suspended indefinitely until she could prove fitness by medical evidence and work experience, with £4,500 costs.

Duties found breached:

• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Handle inadvertently received material
• No improper communication with the court
• No improper use of client money
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Severe breach of trust as a solicitor abusing clients' funds (First Respondent)
• Persistent and regular misappropriation over a period of about a year
• Minimum cash shortage of £162,914.40; £147,000 paid out by SRA Compensation Fund
• Second Respondent abandoned the practice and failed to take responsibility
• Second Respondent showed limited contrition

Mitigating factors:

• First Respondent self-reported the missing monies to the SRA and was frank
• First Respondent was out of her depth and had health problems
• First Respondent claimed no intention to permanently deprive clients
• Second Respondent suffered from depression and stress at the material time
• Second Respondent had a good reputation with clients before the events