Decision record
(unnamed respondent)
Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision
Shanaz Haider, a non-authorised paralegal at Sterling Winshaw Solicitors, appealed an SRA Adjudicator's section 43 control order. The Adjudicator had found she falsely represented herself as a solicitor on a UTIAC1 form and an Out-of-Hours High Court application, applying the Ivey test to find dishonesty and breaches of Principles 1, 2, 4 and 5. The SDT, on review (not rehearing), refused to admit fresh evidence under Ladd v Marshall, upheld the Adjudicator's findings of fact and dishonesty, and found the protective s.43 order proportionate even though the Appellant no longer intended to practise. The appeal was dismissed and the Appellant ordered to pay the SRA's costs of £16,560.
Duties found breached:
Aggravating factors:
- Misrepresentation of professional status to the High Court on official forms
- Dishonesty going to the core of integrity in the profession
- Awareness of firm's manual requiring supervision of court applications
Mitigating factors:
- Acted under time pressure in urgent, fast-moving circumstances
- Medical difficulties/ill-health at the relevant time
- Isolated lapse in a 15-year paralegal career
- Sought to improve competence by completing OISC Level 2 training