Mathew Moghan Rajamohan Chellam

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

The Respondent, a solicitor admitted in 2013, was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court in September 2016 of assisting unlawful immigration into an EU member state, five counts of providing immigration advice while unqualified, and seeking leave to remain by deception (sham marriage), receiving an eight-year sentence. The SRA proved three allegations relying on the convictions as conclusive proof under Rule 32(1). The Tribunal found breaches of Principles 1, 2 and 6 of the SRA Principles 2011 (the integrity Principle, not an express dishonesty finding). Proceeding in the Respondent's absence, the Tribunal assessed culpability as extremely high, motivated by monetary gain through carefully planned sham marriages, causing tremendous harm to the profession's reputation. He was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £4,058.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank

Aggravating factors:

• Misconduct constituted various criminal offences resulting in an eight-year custodial sentence
• Deliberate, calculated and repeated conduct continuing over a period of time
• Concealed his wrongdoing, including lying under oath before the jury
• Knew or ought to have known conduct breached obligations to protect public and reputation of profession
• Attracted nationwide adverse media attention

Mitigating factors:

• Self-reported that he had been charged with criminal offences
• Delay caused primarily by criminal proceedings
• No previous disciplinary findings