Kalvinder Garcha

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

Kalvinder Garcha, a solicitor employed as Head of Corporate Services at Oadby & Wigston Borough Council and chair of trustees of a cancer charity, was convicted at Leicester Crown Court of two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud and two counts of conspiracy to convert criminal property, receiving 30 months imprisonment. She conspired to create a fake employee to defraud the Council of £37,606.67 and the charity of £3,675. The Tribunal found all allegations proved, including dishonesty, relying on the criminal convictions as conclusive proof. Despite mitigation regarding self-reporting and health, no exceptional circumstances were found, and she was struck off the Roll. Although costs were assessed at £5,445, no order for costs was made due to her impecuniosity (state benefits, no property equity, poor employment prospects). She did not attend and the matter proceeded in her absence; an appeal against conviction was pending.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Proper basis for allegations

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty
• Commission of a criminal offence
• Offending was deliberate, calculated and repeated
• Offending continued over a period of time
• Abuse of position of trust at the Council and Charity
• Knew she was in material breach of obligations
• Financial motivation
• Senior, experienced solicitor

Mitigating factors:

• Self-reported to the SRA
• Co-operated with the SRA