Sonia Rishi

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

Sonia Rishi, an assistant solicitor handling matrimonial and ancillary relief matters, admitted creating false/misleading documents (including fake Decrees Nisi/Absolute, a purported Form D84A, and a draft Consent Order), tendering them to clients, misleading clients about the progress of their cases, and unreasonable delay, over a roughly two-year period affecting multiple clients. She admitted the facts but denied dishonesty; the Tribunal, applying Twinsectra v Yardley, found dishonesty proved. She was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay agreed costs of £1,773.83.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No taking unfair advantage
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Continuing course of conduct over some two years, not an isolated incident
• Multiple trusting clients harmed, including causing a client to purport to remarry and give birth while still legally married
• Manufactured court documents bearing court seals and false case numbers

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted the facts and allegations (denied only dishonesty)
• Expressed remorse and did not intend to return to the profession
• Referred to depression/mental state, though no medical evidence provided