Safina Bibi Shah & Shamilla Hanif

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

First Respondent Safina Bibi Shah, senior partner and COLP at Isaac Abrahams Solicitors, faced allegations of failing to supervise/manage NIHL claims (37 struck out) and making misleading/false statements to courts and opponents. The Tribunal found Allegations 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 proved (Allegation 4 not proved as the signed claim form was not exhibited). The Tribunal made an express finding of DISHONESTY against the First Respondent in respect of Allegation 5 (a misleading and false letter to the Court dated 13 May 2015 in Mr N's case blaming the expert for delay when she knew the delay was due to medical records not being provided). Dishonesty was NOT proved on Allegations 2, 6, 7, 8 (where recklessness/manifest incompetence/lack of integrity were found instead). The Second Respondent, Shamilla Hanif, an employee solicitor, made admissions via a statement of agreed facts. The Tribunal proceeded in both Respondents' absence at their request. The provided text is truncated and does not include the sanction or costs determinations.

Duties found breached:

• Act in the client's best interests
• Firm governance, systems and compliance
• Honesty
• Integrity
• No abuse of process or coercive powers
• Proper basis for allegations

Mitigating factors:

• First Respondent under significant pressure with chaotic situation in the department
• Recently given birth and suffering health problems
• Admitted Allegation 9 (Principle 8 breach) and expressed deep regret and apology
• Was a litigant in person for most of the proceedings