Hassan Vahib

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

Hassan Vahib, an unadmitted practice manager employed by Vahib & Co (whose principal was his then wife), was found to have caused non-client money relating to an investment company to pass through the firm's client account in breach of Rule 15(2) SAR, failed to produce bills purportedly charging £22,780, received £7,000 in fees from a client while failing to carry out instructions or communicate, and failed to reply to the SRA. The Tribunal found the allegations proved to the criminal standard and made a Section 43(2) Order restricting his employment by solicitors, plus costs of £6,192.45. No express finding of dishonesty was made.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper communication with the court
• No improper use of client money
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Previous sanction against the Respondent's wife (firm's principal) involving some of this Respondent's conduct, particularly inappropriate dealings with the client account
• Conduct led to complaints from clients and inadequate professional service findings

Mitigating factors:

• No previous disciplinary sanctions against the Respondent
• Respondent did not object to the Section 43 Order being made