Zie Latif

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

Zia Latif, a solicitor at AKZ Solicitors Birmingham, admitted five allegations including dishonestly giving false and misleading explanations to an SRA investigator by claiming involvement in conveyancing transactions he had not conducted, thereby concealing the true role of Mr M who orchestrated fraud. He also admitted accounts rules breaches (books not maintained, client account shortage of £22,505.27), practising without PII cover, and failing to deliver an Accountant's Report. The Tribunal found no exceptional circumstances to depart from the normal sanction for dishonesty and struck him off the Roll. Costs of £22,500 were ordered but not to be enforced without leave of the Tribunal due to his limited means.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Report serious misconduct of others

Aggravating factors:

• Dishonesty over a long period from 2008 to 2010
• Misled the SRA into believing he dealt with conveyancing transactions he had not
• Hindered/misdirected the SRA's investigation
• Conduct was deliberate and to some extent calculated
• Concealed wrongdoing

Mitigating factors:

• Repaid the client account shortfall of £22,505.27 in September 2008
• Eventually informed the SRA of the correct position
• Showed insight into his errors
• Previously unblemished record
• Made admissions to the allegations
• Claimed he acted under threats/coercion (though no supporting evidence)