Mahesh Chouhan

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

Mahesh Chouhan, a sole practitioner at MMC Solicitors, admitted four allegations including dishonestly telling a client for years that legal proceedings had been issued and were ongoing when they had not, taking money from the client, holding himself out as a practising solicitor after his practising certificate was suspended and expired, providing false information to the SRA that he had not undertaken legal work or corresponded with clients, and breaching the Accounts Rules by using a single business account for client money and personal purchases. The Tribunal found express dishonesty, assessed culpability as high, and approved the agreed outcome that he be struck off the Roll and pay costs of £1,500.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• No taking unfair advantage
• No conflict between current clients
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate and repeated dishonesty maintained over a lengthy period
• Provided dishonest information to the SRA during investigation
• Took further money from client (£80) after dishonest statements
• Conduct continued while practising certificate suspended and expired
• High culpability

Mitigating factors:

• Admitted all allegations and dishonesty
• Remorse expressed
• Significant health issues and personal difficulties including divorce
• Claimed conduct was out of character