Hassan Vahib

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

The Respondent, an unadmitted person employed as practice manager at Vahib & Co (sole principal being his then wife Isin Vahib), directed the receipt and payment out of funds relating to an investment company that was not a client and not linked to any legal transaction, causing the client account to be operated in breach of SAR Rule 15(2). He failed to produce bills of costs totalling £22,780, failed to properly progress and communicate on Mr A's matter (who had paid £7,000), and failed to reply to SRA communications. The Tribunal found all allegations proved to the criminal standard. No express finding of dishonesty was made. No mitigation was offered. The Tribunal made a Section 43(2) order and ordered costs of £6,192.45.

Duties found breached:

• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Prior sanction against the Respondent's wife (firm principal) involving some of this Respondent's conduct, particularly inappropriate dealings with the client account

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary sanctions against the Respondent