Andrei Liakhov

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

The Respondent, a solicitor practising in a Ukrainian firm subject to the Overseas Rules, created a false email on 24 July 2015 purporting to be from an SRA Authorisation Officer and forwarded it to another firm (J Ltd) representing it as genuine, in an attempt to advance his wife's (AP's) admission to the Roll. The Tribunal proceeded in his absence (no independent medical evidence supporting adjournment). He admitted the allegation including dishonesty. The Tribunal found breaches of Overseas Principles 2 and 6 and made an express finding of dishonesty under the Twinsectra test. Finding no exceptional circumstances and high culpability, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £7,122.

Duties found breached:

• No taking unfair advantage
• Comply with rules of foreign jurisdictions

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest and deliberate conduct
• Ought to have known conduct breached obligations to protect the public and reputation of the profession
• Lack of insight into seriousness and effect on reputation of the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Long unblemished record
• Cooperation with the regulator with open and frank admissions
• Isolated incident
• Made some apologies