Ravi Sidhu

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

Ravi Sidhu, a barrister called in 1988, was found to have acted dishonestly by issuing five invoices on Citadel Chambers letterhead outside the chambers system, directing payment into his personal bank account, thereby avoiding paying chambers rent (over £6,000) and creating the misleading impression to his client and instructing solicitor that the matter was being conducted through Chambers. The Tribunal rejected his defence of honest mistake (confusion with coronial/judicial sitting fees), finding no evidence supported it. Charges 1 and 3 (dishonesty) were proved; alternative charges 2 and 4 were not determined. Applying the Ivey test, the Tribunal found dishonesty. The case fell within Misconduct Group A dishonesty, where disbarment is the sanction at all levels. Mr Sidhu was disbarred, the BSB ordered not to issue a practising certificate pending appeal, and he was ordered to pay £3,000 costs.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients

Aggravating factors:

• Financial motivation/intended financial gain
• Harm caused to a vulnerable client (Ms Rees) in a personal capacity
• Undermining public confidence in the profession
• Deliberate breach of chambers policy without obtaining authorisation

Mitigating factors:

• Good character and character references
• Some remorse exhibited
• Waiver of the final invoice
• Repayment of rent owed to Chambers once matters came to light
• Attempted to secure pro bono representation for the client