Syed Tauseef Rizvi

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

Syed Tauseef Rizvi, a solicitor working on a temporary contract at the Treasury Solicitor's Department, failed to file and serve a Defence in the matter of W v MOJ. To conceal this, he falsely claimed in correspondence and in a signed witness statement with a statement of truth that the Defence had been served on 13 November 2013, created and backdated letters, and persuaded the client representative (Mr Winfield) to sign a backdated Defence. He admitted all allegations including dishonesty. The Tribunal found a high degree of culpability, deliberate and planned conduct over several months, and found no exceptional circumstances to bring the case within the small residual category avoiding strike off. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay agreed costs of £4,000.

Duties found breached:

• Handle inadvertently received material
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Not mislead third parties or opponents

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty - all matters of dishonesty serious
• Misconduct continued over a period from mid-December 2013 to late March 2014
• Planned and deliberate actions, including careful preparation of witness statement
• Drew others in - induced Mr Winfield to sign a backdated Defence
• Concealment of wrongdoing; failed to admit even in handover notes or to line manager
• Gave non-credible explanation to line manager after leaving TSol
• Breached trust placed in him by TSol and its client, a government department
• Caused public money to be spent correcting his misleading statement

Mitigating factors:

• Otherwise unblemished career; no previous disciplinary matters
• Misconduct related to only one matter
• Co-operated with the Applicant and admitted the allegations
• Showed insight and offered apologies
• Period of significant professional and personal stress - bereavement of mother, pressured arranged marriage and its breakdown, financial concerns, job insecurity, studying for a Masters
• Supportive testimonials and GP letter
• No financial or personal gain