Niranjana Patel

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

The Respondent, an experienced associate solicitor managing three departments, created a letter on Proclaim on 29 January 2021 and backdated it to 12 January 2021 to make it appear she had progressed client K's disrepair matter when she had not, in response to chaser emails from the firm's head of risk. She then told a colleague and the client the letter had been sent on 12 January. The Tribunal rejected her explanation that she had merely looked at a previously dictated letter, and found the allegation proved including dishonesty, breaches of Principles 2, 4 and 5 and paragraph 1.4 of the Code. Although dishonesty normally requires strike-off, the Tribunal found exceptional circumstances (a momentary lapse under pressure, not pre-planned, marginal benefit, little client harm, unblemished career, and delay during which she practised without issue) and imposed a 12-month suspension, itself suspended for 24 months, plus agreed costs of £10,000.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonest conduct
• Respondent was an experienced solicitor (15-18 years PQE) in a senior leadership role managing three departments
• Conduct capable of affecting the reputation of the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Unblemished and exemplary professional and regulatory history
• Isolated, momentary lapse rather than planned or calculated conduct
• Marginal or no benefit to the Respondent
• Very little impact on the client
• Working under significant pressure and heavy workload
• Ill-health (migraines, stomach-ache) and personal circumstances including caring for unwell mother
• Delay in bringing the matter to the Tribunal during which she practised without conditions or further issues