Mohammed Riaz

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

Mohammed Riaz, a sole practitioner solicitor, faced 12 allegations of professional misconduct including failing to cooperate with an SRA forensic investigation, practising without a practising certificate and without indemnity insurance, failing to deliver an Accountant's Report, non-payment of Counsel's fees (leading to Bar Council withdrawal of credit), failing to honour undertakings, issuing a cheque he knew would not be honoured, using non-compliant letterhead, and failing to comply with an adjudicator's costs decision. He did not attend; his adjournment request was refused. The Tribunal found all allegations substantiated. Although allegations 6 and 8 involved failure to act with integrity, there was expressly no allegation or finding of dishonesty. He was suspended indefinitely, subject to conditions before any lifting, and ordered to pay costs of £11,000.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Advise on alternatives, settlement and outcome
• No conflict between current clients
• Handle inadvertently received material
• Prompt accounting and return of money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports
• Professional indemnity insurance
• No baseless or threatened misconduct report
• Honour professional undertakings
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Practised without practising certificate and without insurance while continuing to handle client money
• Complete disregard for regulatory body, failing to reply to all correspondence
• Failure to provide Accountant's Reports meant SRA could not assess accounts
• Damaged reputation of profession and behaved abusively towards other solicitors and barristers

Mitigating factors:

• No previous appearance before the Tribunal
• No allegation of dishonesty