Neil Bashir

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

Neil A Bashir, a sole practitioner, was found to have breached an undertaking to a former solicitor (Blacks) to preserve their lien on costs by claiming all recoverable fixed costs from the third party insurer, thereby preventing Blacks from recovering costs and exposing his client to liability. He misled Blacks about their ability to recover costs and claimed a disbursement he was not entitled to. He also failed to pay an expert witness's invoices, signed a consent order to pay £3,428.85 while knowing he faced bankruptcy (later declared bankrupt 2 Dec 2008) and could not satisfy it, failed to engage with the SRA, and failed to deliver an accountant's report. The Tribunal found all allegations proved to the higher standard and, considering he presented a risk to the public, struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £5,469.07. The Tribunal made findings of lack of integrity but no express finding of dishonesty.

Duties found breached:

• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• Honour professional undertakings
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper communication with the court
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Respondent presented a risk to the public if allowed to continue to practice
• Failed to engage with the proceedings and did not appear
• Failed to respond to multiple SRA letters sent to multiple addresses
• Signed consent order knowing he could not satisfy it due to pending bankruptcy, and failed to disclose bankruptcy proceedings to CC