Habibur Choudhury; Archstone Solicitors Limited

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

The First Respondent, a solicitor and COLP/owner of Archstone Solicitors Limited, failed over approximately two years to bring the firm's two websites into compliance with the SRA Transparency Rules and to comply with conditions imposed on the firm's authorisation following a 2022 Adjudicator's decision, and failed repeatedly to co-operate with the SRA. Both Respondents admitted all allegations, which the Tribunal found proved in full. The Tribunal assessed culpability towards the higher end of the low-to-medium range and harm as medium (principally to the reputation of the profession). No dishonesty was alleged or proved and no aggravating factors were found. The misconduct fell within Level 1 (less serious). A single fine of £4,500 (upper end of the band) was imposed jointly and severally, plus reduced costs of £15,000 (down from £52,717.50 claimed, the Blake Morgan hourly rate being found excessive).

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• Report serious misconduct of others

Mitigating factors:

• No harm to any individual or client and no complaints from the public
• No risk of repetition; matter now remediated with compliant website in place
• No personal gain or benefit
• Open and frank admissions in Answer and at hearing
• Some insight and remorse shown; expressed embarrassment
• No previous disciplinary findings; good character
• Conduct occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and Transparency Rules were relatively new
• No coercion or deception by third party