Soham Nitin Panchamiya

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

Solicitor at Reed Smith falsely claimed to his firm over the period 22 September to 13 November 2023 that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment, and provided a falsified medical report purportedly signed by an oncologist. He admitted all allegations, including dishonesty. The Tribunal found the dishonesty was deliberate, calculated and repeated, culminating in fabricated medical evidence. Despite accepting his mental health issues and difficult personal circumstances, the Tribunal held exceptional circumstances were not made out and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £22,000 (reduced from the £32,130 claimed).

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Comply with rules of foreign jurisdictions

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate, calculated and repeated dishonesty
• Dishonesty sustained over period 22 September to 13 November 2023
• Falsification of a medical report to support the lie
• Numerous opportunities to correct the false impression which he did not take
• Abused the trust placed in him by the Firm

Mitigating factors:

• Full and early admissions maintained throughout
• Genuine insight and remorse
• Difficult personal circumstances (father's death in December 2022, significant family debt, financial pressure)
• Mental health issues and delayed grief (accepted clinical diagnosis of Dr Anand)
• No previous disciplinary matters
• No client harm and no financial gain