Shagufta Ghafar

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

Shagufta Ghafar acted in a property purchase/transfer transaction for a company owned by the Secondary Complainer, transferring title to Mr X under a minute of agreement (described by the Respondent as a bare trust). The Tribunal found she acted in a conflict of interest situation by effectively representing both parties, failed to promptly notify the Secondary Complainer when Mr X took out a loan secured against the property in breach of the minute of agreement, and made multiple handwritten changes to dispositions without the client's consent when re-presenting them for registration. Dishonesty and lack of integrity were expressly not alleged. She was found guilty of professional misconduct (singly for the conflict of interest, in cumulo for the other matters) and censured. The Complainers were found liable for the Respondent's expenses relating to the preliminary hearing, with the Respondent otherwise liable for expenses; no monetary figures were stated and no fine was imposed.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No conflict between current clients

Mitigating factors:

• No previous findings of professional misconduct
• Relatively inexperienced solicitor (qualified 2010)
• Dealing with a dominating client who insisted the transaction proceed despite advice against it
• No benefit to the Respondent
• Modest means as sole practitioner
• She had advised the Secondary Complainer against the transaction