Rajan Radia

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

Rajan Radia, admitted 1995, fabricated a letter purportedly dated October 1997 and amended attendance notes to counter a client's complaint of inadequate advice, then relied on these documents and provided an 18-page false explanation in a statement of truth to the OSS, while also seeking to discredit his former client. The Tribunal expressly found dishonesty and, finding no exceptional circumstances (particularly because he perpetuated the deception long after the initial fabrication), struck him off the Roll and ordered costs of £2,650 inclusive.

Duties found breached:

• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Handle inadvertently received material
• Prompt accounting and return of money

Aggravating factors:

• Perpetuated the lie over a lengthy period, including an 18-page false explanation to the OSS some 15 months later
• Sought to discredit his former client Mr R with allegations of suppressing documents
• Relied on fabricated documents to defend against a client complaint and lied to his own professional body in a statement of truth
• Conduct at the serious end of the scale

Mitigating factors:

• Eventually made a clean breast to employers, wife and regulator
• Deeply contrite, embarrassed and ashamed; apologised to all parties
• Young and relatively inexperienced solicitor at the time
• Suffering considerable emotional turmoil and difficult family/childhood history, plus work pressures
• Strong support and testimonials from employers and colleagues
• Significant financial outlay already suffered (paid insurance excess, client's unpaid costs, legal fees, Law Society costs)
• Psychiatric reports before the Tribunal