Mohammed Omar Deane and Mohammed Zafar Iqbal

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

Two solicitor brothers practising as Dale Solicitors were struck off after a Law Society investigation revealed shambolic accounting records, a minimum client account shortage of £20,996.03, unauthorised cash withdrawals, breaches of Practice Rule 6 (acting for multiple parties in conveyancing), failure to disclose material information to lender clients, an improper relationship with an introducer (Mr SF), and disregard of property-fraud guidance. Neither Respondent attended. The Tribunal found all nine allegations substantiated and, applying Twinsectra, found dishonesty in relation to allegations (iv)-(vii). Both were struck off and ordered to pay costs of £10,062.75 jointly and severally.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• Disclose material information to client
• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Minimum cash shortage of £20,996.03 with further £1,121 shortage after inspection
• Chaotic/shambolic state of accounting records making client liabilities incalculable
• Improper cash payments from client account without authorisation
• Failure to inform lender clients of true purchase prices and multiple parties represented
• Misrepresentation of purchase prices facilitating potential property fraud
• Persistence of breaches despite repeated opportunities to remedy during inspection