Sunny Sidhu

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

Sunny Sidhu, a family solicitor at LDJ Solicitors LLP, requested explicit images from a vulnerable client (Person A) on the false basis that they were required for legal reasons connected to her family matter and an alleged non-molestation order. He falsely told her the images would be uploaded to the firm's case management system. The Tribunal found the conduct dishonest (Ivey test), sexually motivated, and an exploitation of a vulnerable client. The Respondent had not required the SRA witnesses for cross-examination but disputed their evidence in his own testimony (Griffiths v TUI considered). The Tribunal found all allegations proved, breaching Principles 2, 4 and 5 and paragraphs 1.2 and 1.4 of the Code. Finding no exceptional circumstances under Sharma/James, the Tribunal struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £32,394.72.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No conflict between current clients
• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues

Aggravating factors:

• Sexually motivated misconduct
• Took advantage of a vulnerable client whom he deliberately targeted
• Deliberate, repeated and calculated conduct over a period of months
• Coerced Person A into sending images contrary to her instincts
• Failure to make attendance notes and false assurance that images were uploaded, designed to conceal the misconduct
• No genuine insight or remorse; no admissions; no co-operation with regulator

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary findings / unblemished record
• Character references and Google reviews (given little weight)