Najaf Shah

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

The Respondent, a junior solicitor, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court on three counts of dishonestly making false representations relating to reconstructed/false bills of costs submitted to the National Taxing Team, and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. He admitted breaching Rules 1.02 and 1.06 of the Solicitors' Code of Conduct 2007. The Tribunal found the allegation proved and, despite substantial mitigation (mental illness, family problems, no personal financial gain, panic rather than material intent), held these did not amount to exceptional circumstances. The Respondent was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £1,331.87.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Serious breach of trust
• Intended fraud on the public purse
• Would, if undetected, have involved dishonestly obtaining sums well over £100,000
• Offences aroused suspicions centred on innocent others
• Exploitation of a system vulnerable to abuse

Mitigating factors:

• Sincere regret acknowledged
• Fragile state of mind and mental illness (depressive episode, PTSD-like symptoms)
• Serious family disputes
• No personal financial gain
• Junior partner with little experience
• Strong testimonials and support of former senior partner
• Acted out of panic after losing original documents