Ranbir Dhaliwal

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

The Respondent was convicted at St Albans Crown Court of one count of fraud by abuse of position and two counts of dishonestly making false representation, receiving 9 months imprisonment and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation. He had provided sham independent advice to two severely disabled adults, guiding them to initial mortgage documents that led to financial devastation for their family. The Tribunal, proceeding in his absence, found all allegations proved beyond reasonable doubt including dishonesty (applying Twinsectra), and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £1,651.58.

Duties found breached:

• No abuse of process or coercive powers
• Honesty
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Criminal conviction for fraud by abuse of position and dishonestly making false representation
• Serious breach of trust involving vulnerable, severely disabled clients
• Significant harm caused to victims described as extreme callousness by sentencing judge
• Sentenced to 9 months imprisonment
• Judge found no mitigation