Waheed Ur Rehman Mian

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

The Respondent, a solicitor and senior member/COLP/COFA of M-R Solicitors LLP, acted for clients purchasing off-plan properties from Aronex, a developer with significant undisclosed connections to the Firm (his wife was a director, Firm was landlord, and other Firm employees were involved). He failed to disclose the conflict of interest, failed to adequately advise clients of the risks of off-plan buyer-led investment schemes, failed to inform clients of planning permission issues before releasing funds, and failed to supervise a junior trainee. Aronex collapsed and investors lost deposits. The Tribunal found all allegations proved, including contested breaches of Principles 2 (integrity) and 3 (independence), rejecting his new defence that he was unaware of his wife's directorship. The Tribunal found lack of integrity but no dishonesty was alleged or found. He was suspended for 6 months and ordered to pay costs of £40,218.40.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• No conflict between current clients
• Competence
• Firm governance, systems and compliance

Aggravating factors:

• Misconduct continued over a period exceeding two years
• Respondent knew or ought reasonably to have known conduct was in material breach of obligations
• Presented a new, fundamentally flawed defence during the hearing
• Lack of insight regarding misconduct
• Financial motivation found by the Tribunal

Mitigating factors:

• Cooperated with the regulator throughout the investigation
• Faced significant increase in professional indemnity insurance premium
• No previous disciplinary history
• Made efforts to ensure clients were compensated including through insurers
• Positive character references