Peter Chahal

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

The Respondent, suspended from practice for 6 months from 19 April 2012, was found to have held himself out as a solicitor during his suspension. Allegation 1.1 (signing Land Registry Form ID1 as a solicitor/partner on 7 September 2012) and allegation 1.2 (attending Sandwell Magistrates Court on 1 June 2012 representing Mr MSB) were proved as breaches of Principles 2 and 6. Allegations 1.3 (acting for Mr OA/writing to E-ON) and 1.4 (appearing before Judge Blandy as a sole practitioner) were not proved to the requisite standard. The Tribunal found a lack of integrity but made no finding of dishonesty. Given his disregard for the Tribunal's order and previous conduct, he was struck off and ordered to pay £4,500 costs. The hearing proceeded in his absence.

Duties found breached:

• Integrity
• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Breach of a previous Tribunal suspension order
• Previous disciplinary appearance in 2012 resulting in 6-month suspension
• Held himself out as a solicitor during suspension, placing the public at risk
• Failure to cooperate with the Regulator (continuing pattern)
• Complete disregard for the Tribunal

Mitigating factors:

• Relatively young and capable of alternative employment