Pritesh Vallabhdas Soni

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

Pritesh Vallabhdas Soni, admitted 1993, admitted dishonestly misappropriating clients' monies, withdrawing funds from client account contrary to the SAR, failing to keep proper accounting records, and dishonestly forging his partner's signature on three Certificates of Title. An investigation found no books of account since July 2005 and misuse of lender funds (including drawing down £1,150,000 on a collapsed transaction). He owed approximately £6,745,000 to lending institutions. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated, with express findings of dishonesty, and struck him off the Roll, ordering costs of £7,237.03.

Duties found breached:

• Segregate client money
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Previous appearance before the Tribunal in 2006 resulting in a reprimand
• Abuse of clients' trust by misappropriating monies
• Clients suffered as a result of his behaviour
• Owed approximately £6,745,000 to lending institutions

Mitigating factors:

• Self-reported the matters to the regulator
• Made clear his partner was not involved
• Cooperated with the Solicitors Regulation Authority throughout
• Admitted all allegations including dishonesty
• Serious ill health (spinal tumour)