Shuaib Saeed

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

Shuaib Saeed, a solicitor-advocate employed by MK Law Solicitors Ltd, faced multiple allegations after taking client monies into a non-firm account without the firm's knowledge. He did not engage with proceedings and the Tribunal proceeded in his absence. Several allegations (1, 4.2, 5) were withdrawn due to a poorly drafted Rule 5 Statement, and allegations 4.1, 4.3 and 4.4 were found not proved. The Tribunal found allegation 2 (pressuring former client Mr A and offering money to drop his complaint), allegation 3 (creating a fictitious settlement agreement involving a non-existent victim 'JE' to obtain £3,800 for personal benefit), and allegation 6 (failure to co-operate with the SRA) proved. Dishonesty was expressly found proved (Ivey test) in respect of allegations 2 and 3. With no exceptional circumstances, the Respondent was struck off the Roll. The SRA applied for £20,620 costs, which the Tribunal indicated should be reduced given the poor drafting and withdrawn/failed allegations (final figure not stated in the available text).

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No conflict between current clients
• Cooperate openly with regulators

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty alleged and proved
• Misconduct was deliberate, calculated and repeated over a period of time
• Clients Mr A and LD were in vulnerable circumstances; Mr A had mental health difficulties
• Respondent sought to conceal his wrongdoing (took time off to represent Mr A, sought to persuade him to withdraw complaint)
• Significant impact on those affected
• Motivation was financial gain; breach of position of trust