Zeeshan Saqib Mian

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

Dr Mian, a non-practising solicitor called to the Bar, faced allegations of failing to disclose SRA regulatory information and conditions to the BSB and Lincoln's Inn, and giving false/misleading declarations. Allegation 1.1.1 was found not proved. Allegation 1.1.2 was proved (breaches of Principles 2, 6 and 7) with recklessness but not dishonesty. Allegations 1.1.3 and 1.2 were proved in their entirety including express findings of dishonesty under the Ivey test, the Tribunal finding he deliberately withheld material regulatory information (including SRA practising certificate conditions and, post-call, an SDT referral) that the Inn and BSB were entitled to know. Finding high culpability, deliberate repeated dishonesty and no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered him to pay costs of £40,000. No fine was imposed in these proceedings (the £20,000 fine referenced was from earlier 2019 proceedings).

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• No conflict between current clients
• Hold a current practising certificate
• Cooperate openly with regulators
• Self-report to the regulator
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty proved in relation to Allegations 1.1.3 and 1.2
• Deliberate and calculated misconduct
• Repeated and continued over a significant period, both before and after call
• Failure to disclose despite express SRA prompt in December 2017 asking whether he had notified the BSB
• Experienced solicitor and solicitor advocate with direct control over disclosure
• Previous disciplinary history (though not treated as directly bearing on this misconduct)

Mitigating factors:

• Personal and professional pressure at the material time (anxiety, decline of his firm)
• Complex underlying regulatory history and genuine dispute about status of SRA matters
• Engagement with the SRA and BSB rather than closing eyes to the issue
• Accepted with hindsight he should have disclosed