Shahzad Mohammad Akhtar Chaudhry

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

Respondent solicitor was recorded by undercover reporters advising a purported client to fabricate a false asylum claim based on invented abuse, dictating a false account, and confirming legal aid could fund the fabricated application. He admitted all four allegations. The Tribunal found conscious impropriety intending to mislead immigration authorities and the LSC, rejected the medical mitigation as insufficient, and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £5,200. No express finding of dishonesty was recorded, though conscious impropriety was found.

Duties found breached:

• Full disclosure on ex parte applications
• Proper basis for allegations
• Self-report to the regulator

Aggravating factors:

• Conscious impropriety intending to mislead immigration authorities and the Legal Services Commission
• Advice given openly, brazenly and deliberately
• Conduct brought into the public domain via newspaper report

Mitigating factors:

• Impressive character references showing conduct out of character
• Ill health at the time (labyrinthitis, depressive symptoms, cocktail of medication)
• Expressed remorse and shame
• Took no fees for the interview
• Admitted the allegations