Priyank Tanwar

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

Priyank Tanwar, a self-employed consultant solicitor, was found to have provided misleading information to the Family Court at Leicester on 24 August 2023 as to his location (repeatedly claiming to be at the firm's Ealing office in London when he was in fact in Munich, Germany), and to have failed to attend the hearing in person as required by a court order dated 27 July 2023 or to arrange suitable representation. The Tribunal found both allegations proved, including dishonesty under the Ivey test, holding he knew he was not in the UK and deliberately misled the Recorder. Finding no exceptional circumstances, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £7,500 (reduced from £32,542.50 in light of his means).

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead the court
• No improper communication with the court
• Comply with and respect court orders
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests

Aggravating factors:

• Finding of dishonesty was the main aggravating feature
• Misleading responses were sustained over the hearing, not a 'moment of madness'
• Misled a judge - misconduct of the highest order
• Lack of insight into the nature or effect of his misconduct
• Not truthful or persuasive when giving evidence
• Caused harm by wasting court time and disrupting a sensitive children/domestic abuse hearing

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary findings
• Character references attesting to honesty and integrity
• No financial gain from the conduct
• Medical evidence of anxiety and depression (given limited weight)