Naresh Chopra

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

The Respondent, a solicitor and manager/COFA at Nationwide Solicitors and controller of Lillywhite Williams, faced six allegations. The Tribunal found all allegations proved. It made an express finding of dishonesty on Allegation 1.1, holding he deliberately used Lillywhite Williams (which was on lenders' panels) to conduct conveyancing work for Nationwide clients (Nationwide not being on those panels), misleading lenders. Dishonesty was NOT found on Allegations 1.2-1.6, though lack of integrity and serious breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Rules and SRA Principles were established, including improper use of client account as a banking facility for dubious diamond/fine art escrow schemes and running family company loan business through the client account. Given the dishonesty finding, high culpability, lack of insight, and prior strike-off (1993, restored 2004), and finding no exceptional circumstances under SRA v Sharma, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £65,977.41.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No conflict between current clients
• Segregate client money
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty found in relation to misleading lenders
• Conduct deliberate, calculated and repeated over a long period
• Knew or ought to have known conduct materially breached obligations to protect public and reputation of profession
• Previously appeared before the Tribunal and struck off (1993) for contempt of court and destroying/altering documents relating to alleged mortgage fraud
• Complete disregard for the Solicitors Accounts Rules
• High culpability

Mitigating factors:

• Made some admissions (albeit on first day of hearing)
• No loss to clients from the dishonesty finding
• Provided character references/testimonials
• Claimed reliance on SRA Ethics helpline and template from another firm for escrow work