Rupinder Kainth

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

Rupinder Kainth, sole equity partner, COLP and COFA of Wilson & Berry Solicitors, was found to have made multiple false statements to an SRA Forensic Investigation Officer (regarding a fictitious merger with Firm 2, professional indemnity insurance, and her directorship), caused/allowed the Firm to act for clients during the Cessation Period when it lacked qualifying insurance, falsely declared on an insurer questionnaire that she had not been subject to investigation, and failed to respond to numerous SRA s44B notices, a mandatory AML questionnaire and Legal Ombudsman investigations. The Tribunal found dishonesty proved on allegations 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3. The matter proceeded in her absence after refusing her adjournment application. She was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £55,043.40.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Cooperate openly with regulators
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Proven dishonesty
• Deliberate, calculated and repeated misconduct
• Motivated by personal gain
• Sought to conceal wrongdoing by making false statements
• Experienced solicitor who understood her obligations
• Made numerous false statements during investigation
• Continued trading and accepting new instructions when not permitted
• Failed to respond to numerous regulator and ombudsman requests

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary findings at the Tribunal