Shahan Shah Sarmad Khan

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

Respondent, an assistant solicitor, received £1,200 from two clients (cash and a cheque paid into his personal account) that never reached the firm's books. The Tribunal, applying Twinsectra, found dishonesty in misappropriating client funds (allegation ii) and a breach of Rule 15 (allegation i). On allegation (iii) regarding a misleading declaration on his application to remove his name from the Roll, dishonesty was NOT proven to the required standard because it could not be certain he received the Adjudicator's notification letter; however it was substantiated as acting contrary to his position as a solicitor. He was struck off and ordered to pay fixed costs of £16,392.69.

Duties found breached:

• Disclose adverse law to the court
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty involving clients' money
• Falsely attributed blame to three named colleagues who all denied his account
• Failure to engage with proceedings or attend hearing