Zahid Akhtar

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

The Respondent, a solicitor admitted in 2014 and registered as a freelance solicitor, was found to have undertaken immigration work between around 28 February 2022 and 25 July 2022 when he was neither a recognised sole practitioner nor a manager, employee or member of an authorised body, contrary to Principle 2 and Regulations 9.5 and 10.1 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations 2019 (Allegation 1.1 PROVED). Freelance solicitors are not permitted to carry out immigration work under Regulation 9.5, and the SRA had repeatedly warned him of this. The Tribunal found Allegation 1.2 (dishonestly providing inaccurate/misleading information to the SRA) NOT PROVED, expressly finding the Respondent had not acted dishonestly. He was suspended for 12 months with indefinite conditions thereafter.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• Not misrepresent regulated status