Sunita Ghai

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

Sunita Ghai, an experienced solicitor at DLG Legal Services, acting for a claimant in a personal injury matter, made three misleading statements between 11 and 29 September 2023 claiming she did not have or was awaiting a neurology report when she had already received and reviewed it. The statements were made to opposing solicitors, in a case summary to the Court, and to Counsel who relayed the information to the Judge, resulting in permission to rely on neurology being refused. She admitted all allegations including dishonesty. The Tribunal, dealing with the matter on the papers via an Agreed Outcome, found her conduct dishonest under the Ivey test and, with no exceptional circumstances, ordered she be struck off the Roll and pay costs of £2,500.

Duties found breached:

• No abuse of process or coercive powers
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Misconduct was deliberate, calculated and repeated
• Misconduct continued over a period of time
• Respondent ought to have known she was in material breach of her obligations
• Experienced solicitor qualified for almost 20 years
• Harm caused as the Court was provided with misleading information

Mitigating factors:

• Full admissions made
• Cooperated with the SRA throughout the investigation