Shohaab Dar

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

Shohaab Dar, an associate solicitor, received £1,000 from a client into his personal bank account purportedly to cover a court issue fee for a discrimination claim. The cheque was never cashed, the claim missed its limitation deadline, and he failed to return the money to the client or account to the firm until 30 May 2019 (after referral to the Tribunal). He also failed to inform the client he had missed the limitation period and failed to respond to numerous SRA communications, making repeated unkept promises to provide responses. The Tribunal found all allegations proved beyond reasonable doubt, including an express finding of dishonesty regarding retention of the £1,000. It found breaches of integrity, public trust, cooperation and accounts rules. Finding no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £8,433.50.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Cooperate openly with regulators

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty
• Conduct deliberate and calculated once court fee found not paid
• Repeated lack of cooperation with the SRA over a significant period
• Misconduct continued over a significant period across all allegations
• Client was in a vulnerable position
• Concealed wrongdoing from client and SRA
• Experienced solicitor, fully culpable
• Loss to client of £1,000 and to firm of £6,000

Mitigating factors:

• Acknowledged some failings
• Previously unblemished disciplinary career
• Money eventually returned to client