A K Sharma & Others

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

Before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, First Respondent Ameet Kumar Sharma admitted all allegations including dishonesty relating to facilitating mortgage-fraud conveyancing transactions, making inaccurate representations to lenders, acting in conflict, client account shortage of £168,136.01 and unauthorised private loans. The Tribunal found no exceptional circumstances and struck him off the Roll, ordering him to pay £49,337 costs. The total costs were assessed at £64,337. The Second and Third Respondents (partners strictly liable for SAR breaches) were reprimanded and each ordered to pay £5,000 costs (Third Respondent's not enforceable without leave). The Fourth Respondent was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £5,000 costs. A subsequent appeal by Sharma on costs was dismissed.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper communication with the court
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct took place over a number of months across a large number of transactions
• Repeated the misconduct after moving to a new firm as clients followed him
• Placed his employers in difficulty causing financial pressure, reputational harm and closure of the firm
• No evidence produced to support claimed blackmail; even if accepted, no excuse

Mitigating factors:

• Full and frank admission of all allegations including dishonesty
• Young in age and professional experience with too much authority too soon
• Positive character references describing him as trustworthy and honest
• Claimed to have acted under undue influence/blackmail by clients
• Suffered personal health consequences and marital breakdown