Sarjit Singh S/O Mehar Singh

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

The respondent, sole proprietor of Sarjit Singh & Co, was engaged to recover outstanding salary for his client Latiff. He received a settlement cheque from the employer, concealed this from the client, advised issuing a writ, charged further fees, and faxed the client a forged writ. He deposited the cheque into his firm account for his own use. Convicted of criminal breach of trust under s 409 Penal Code (sentence enhanced on revision to three years' imprisonment). The Law Society applied to make absolute the show cause order. The High Court found dishonesty committed in his capacity as advocate and solicitor, held mitigation was of virtually negligible weight, and ordered him struck off the roll with costs of the proceedings.

Duties found breached:

• Cease acting on client perjury or disobedience
• No taking unfair advantage
• Personal probity and fitness to practise
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Offence of dishonesty committed in capacity as advocate and solicitor
• Cheated the very client he was meant to serve
• Concealed receipt of settlement moneys from client
• Falsified documents to further deceive client and cover his tracks