Rupinder Kainth

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

The Respondent, a partner, COLP and COFA at Wilson & Berry Solicitors, was found to have made numerous false statements to SRA Forensic Investigation Officers about professional indemnity insurance, a purported merger with Firm 2, and her directorship of Firm 2. She caused/allowed the firm to continue acting for clients and taking on new instructions after it had entered the Cessation Period without qualifying insurance. She falsely answered 'no' to being under investigation on an insurance questionnaire, and repeatedly failed to respond to SRA notices, an AML questionnaire, and to co-operate with Legal Ombudsman investigations. The Tribunal made express findings of dishonesty on allegations 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3. The hearing proceeded in her absence after an adjournment application based on inadequate medical evidence was refused. She was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £55,043.40.

Duties found breached:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Cooperate openly with regulators
• Not misrepresent regulated status

Aggravating factors:

• Proven dishonesty in material breach of duty to protect public and maintain confidence in profession
• Deliberate, calculated and repeated misconduct
• Made numerous false statements during interviews
• Sought to conceal wrongdoing through false statements
• Continued to accept new instructions and trade when required to wind up firm
• Motivated by personal gain
• Experienced solicitor who understood importance of compliance

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary findings