Musharaf Javid Asharaf

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

Mr Asharaf, an experienced solicitor and office manager at SPG Law, was found to have engaged in inappropriate physical contact and comments towards Person A, a 21-year-old paralegal, including touching/rubbing her shoulders, slapping her buttocks (saying 'is that sexual harassment?'), making a comment about her breasts ('two mountains on your chest') at the firm Christmas party, and deliberately bumping his crotch into her. All factual allegations were found proved. The Tribunal found his conduct breached Principles 2 and 6 and failed Outcome 11.1, and that his conduct in allegations 1.2 and 1.4 was sexually motivated (sexual motivation for 1.1 and 1.3 was dismissed for lack of particularisation). No finding of dishonesty was made. He was suspended for 12 months with an indefinite condition prohibiting him acting as a manager or supervisor, and ordered to pay costs of £17,500.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Abuse of position of power and authority over a junior, 21-year-old paralegal
• Conduct was deliberate, calculated and repeated, with escalation over time
• Person A was vulnerable due to age, sex and junior status
• Mr Asharaf was an experienced solicitor (53) responsible for the well-being of the paralegals
• Previous disciplinary finding (July 2018) for misconduct lacking integrity and breaching public trust, in close proximity to this misconduct
• Lack of insight into his misconduct

Mitigating factors:

• Co-operated with the Applicant's investigation and proceedings
• Health/mental health issues raised on his behalf (extreme work pressure, stress, near nervous breakdown)
• Misconduct related to a short period in 2018-2019 with no similar matters before or since