Restrictions bar her from holding client money or senior compliance roles
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has imposed strict conditions on the practising certificate of solicitor Sadhana Soni following regulatory intervention into her former law firm and concerns relating to potential dishonesty and non-compliance with core professional rules.
The SRA’s published regulatory decision shows that Ms Soni’s practising certificate for 2024/25 is now subject to a series of restrictions designed to protect the public and reinforce confidence in legal practice. The conditions, imposed with effect from 1 September 2025, reflect the regulator’s continuing emphasis on maintaining high standards of conduct and adherence to financial and ethical safeguards within law firms.
Under the conditions, Ms Soni is prohibited from acting as a manager or owner of any authorised body or non-SRA firm. She may not practise on her own account and is barred from holding key compliance roles, including Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA). She is also forbidden from holding senior operational positions such as Head of Legal Practice or Head of Finance and Administration within regulated or non-regulated entities. Most notably, Ms Soni is not permitted to hold or receive client money, act as a signatory on client or office accounts, or authorise transfers — safeguards that aim to mitigate risks associated with financial mismanagement.
The SRA took the earlier step of intervening into Ms Soni’s practice on 20 August 2024, signalling regulatory concern about her conduct and its potential impact on client interests. An intervening agent, Richard Thorpe of Shakespeare Martineau acting on behalf of SHMA SRA Interventions, was appointed to manage the firm’s affairs during the period of regulatory scrutiny.
The decision-making record indicates the intervention was prompted by suspected dishonesty in connection with Ms Soni’s professional activities at Denning Sotomayor Ltd, as well as breaches of the SRA Principles (2019) and SRA Accounts Rules (2019). These breaches relate to fundamental regulatory objectives, including acting with integrity and upholding proper financial custodianship of client and office funds.
The conditions are framed as necessary, reasonable and proportionate in the public interest, consistent with the objectives of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations and the broader regulatory framework established under the Legal Services Act 2007. They will remain attached to Ms Soni’s practising certificate unless varied or lifted following further regulatory assessment.