Toslim Uddin Ahmed

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

The Respondent, a sole practitioner running an immigration firm, abandoned his practice between around November 2021 and May 2022, leaving 1,374 client files unsecured in an office due to be re-let, failing to progress client matters, protect confidentiality, or notify clients and the SRA of closure. The SRA intervened on 5 May 2022. He also failed to cooperate with the SRA investigation, making only a single phone call over a year of attempts. The Tribunal found all allegations proved, including breaches of Principles 2, 5 and 7 and paragraphs 4.2, 6.3, 7.3, 7.4 and 7.6 of the Code. The Tribunal found lack of integrity but made no express finding of dishonesty. He was struck off and ordered to pay £21,000 costs. The Respondent did not participate in the proceedings.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• Client confidentiality
• Segregate client money
• Diligence and timeliness
• Cooperate openly with regulators
• Self-report to the regulator

Aggravating factors:

• High culpability as an experienced sole practitioner of over 20 years
• Breach of position of trust given vulnerable immigration clients
• Harm was foreseeable
• Abandonment remained undiscovered over a lengthy period
• Respondent knew or ought to have known conduct breached obligations to protect public and profession

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary matters