(unnamed respondent)

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

This was an application by Auran Khattak for restoration to the Roll, having been struck off in 2012 for 15 admitted allegations involving serious Solicitors Accounts Rules breaches, lack of integrity, failure to fulfil undertakings, failure to maintain indemnity insurance, and writing a false and misleading letter to the SRA. The original misconduct involved gross dereliction of duty as a partner/trustee, with disgraceful events including mortgage transactions paying money to fictitious sellers' solicitors and missing client money — but no dishonesty finding had been made. The SRA opposed restoration. The Tribunal noted the application was not premature (10+ years elapsed), found rehabilitation evidence to his credit, was satisfied adequate supervision and safeguards were in place, and noted there were no findings of dishonesty. It granted restoration subject to indefinite protective conditions and ordered agreed costs of £2,002.

Mitigating factors:

• No findings of dishonesty against the applicant
• Over 10 years elapsed since strike off; application not premature
• Evidence of rehabilitation to his credit; long period of legal work albeit unregulated
• Positive references from legal professionals
• Undertook numerous courses to keep knowledge up to date
• Qualified barrister holding a current practising certificate; Bar Council found him fit and proper
• Future employer provided adequate supervision arrangements and confirmed he would not handle client money
• Willing to accept restrictive conditions