Altaf Husen Bhurawala

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

Mr Bhurawala, sole director of Morgan Hall Solicitors, faced three sets of allegations. In relation to client MS, he proposed a scheme to conceal money from benefits authorities so MS could retain benefits and created sham client care letter/CFA documents to support it. In relation to client EN, he retained £86,308.83 in client account for years, failed to advise her of risks of an unsecured high-interest (270% pa) loan of £75,000 to TOO, failed to secure/register a legal charge, and substituted his own company SRL to take the interest that was due to EN. In relation to TOO, he caused SRL to lend £75,000 and falsely represented TOO was legally bound to repay £125,000. The Tribunal found all allegations proved including express dishonesty regarding the MS scheme and sham documents. Given the dishonesty and no exceptional circumstances, he was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £31,180.

Duties found breached:

• No abuse of process or coercive powers
• Honesty
• Integrity
• No taking unfair advantage
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Act in the client's best interests
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Proven dishonesty
• Deliberate and calculated misconduct
• Planned actions
• Motivated in part by personal gain
• Used position as a solicitor to take advantage of EN and TOO
• Devised and suggested a benefit fraud scheme to his own client

Mitigating factors:

• Scheme in allegation 1.1 was not carried into effect; no loss to public purse or MS
• No profit taken from the MS scheme
• Claimed duress/intimidation by MS (threats to kill)
• EN suffered no loss and never requested return of monies
• 30 years dedicated to the profession
• Ill health and impact of proceedings on health and marriage
• Currently unemployed