Gurmit Singh Randhawa

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

The respondent, admitted in 1985, was convicted at Cardiff Crown Court on 6 January 1997 of three counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of theft, receiving suspended prison sentences and fines totalling £20,000. As a solicitor he acted for both borrowers and lenders and turned a blind eye to misrepresentations enabling fraudulent mortgage advances, and also stole from client account. His appeal against conviction was refused and his adjournment request was denied. The Tribunal found the allegations substantiated, ordered him struck off the Roll, and to pay costs of £959.09.

Duties found breached:

• No improper communication with the court
• Honesty

Aggravating factors:

• Convicted of three counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of theft
• Stole monies from client account - the most serious form of dishonesty a solicitor can perpetrate
• Defrauded lending institutions by turning a blind eye to misrepresentations and deceit
• Committed breaches out of desire to retain clients and extend personal influence
• Serious breach of trust as solicitor acting for lenders