Kesakapillai Raveenderan

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

Sole practitioner K Ravi Solicitors admitted all allegations including dishonesty. He misapplied client funds (approx £137,919.88 shortfall) to run his practice, made impermissible inter-ledger transfers, failed to write up accounts since June/July 2013, and created fictitious invoices to disguise transfers from auditors. Following an increase in his professional indemnity premium on entering the ARP, he used client money to fund the practice, ultimately unable to complete a conveyancing transaction, prompting his self-report and SRA intervention. The Tribunal found dishonesty proved under the Twinsectra test and found no exceptional circumstances under Sharma. Struck off the Roll and ordered to pay £10,000 costs.

Duties found breached:

• No conflict between current clients
• No improper use of client money
• Accounting records, reconciliation and reports

Aggravating factors:

• Deliberate course of action over a prolonged period
• Substantial loss - client account shortfall of approximately £137,919.88
• Sole practitioner with direct responsibility
• Solicitor of some 14 years' experience
• Fabricated invoices and concealed actions from auditors
• Dishonesty found proved

Mitigating factors:

• Self-reported to the SRA
• Made full admissions and cooperated
• Wife disabled and Respondent suffered severe asthma and anxiety
• Money used for the practice rather than extravagant personal lifestyle
• Continued practice for sake of staff with mortgages
• Difficulties arising from ARP premium increase from £2,300 to £42,000 and the recession