Imran Haider Khawaja

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

An experienced solicitor admitted failing to cooperate adequately with the Legal Ombudsman and SRA over 2021-2024 across three matters (including failing to comply with a s.147 Notice) and failing to discharge an undertaking within a reasonable time. The alleged lack of integrity (Principle 5) was contested and not found proved, as the Tribunal accepted his serious health event as an explanation. No dishonesty was found or alleged. He was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay reduced costs of £20,000.

Duties found breached:

• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank
• Diligence and timeliness
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Protracted failures spanning 2021-2024 across three separate matters
• Persistent non-compliance despite multiple reminders
• Failure to comply with a s.147 statutory Notice until over four months late after SRA intervention
• Respondent's senior status as director, owner and compliance officer (MLRO, COLP, COFA, complaints handler)
• Undertaking not discharged for almost a year and only after SRA intervention

Mitigating factors:

• Serious health event in October 2020 with lasting cognitive impact explaining the failings
• Death of his father and Covid-19 pandemic context
• Unblemished career over 30+ years
• Genuine remorse and apology
• Full cooperation and early admissions
• No client money at risk, no dishonesty, no concealment
• Remedial measures implemented to prevent recurrence