Lawyer struck off and fined £250,000 after tribunal upholds dishonesty and integrity breaches
A solicitor has been struck off the roll and ordered to pay £250,000 in costs after the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) found him guilty of multiple breaches, including dishonesty.
The tribunal heard the case of Mohammed Ekramul Hoque Mazumder, along with co-respondents Naser Khan and Salauddin Khan, following allegations of misconduct under the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) Code of Conduct 2011 and the SRA Principles 2011.
Mazumder admitted to one of the central allegations, but denied the remainder. However, the SDT found several further allegations proved against him, including dishonesty. The panel concluded that his admission had been properly made and supported by the evidence presented, but that the seriousness of the additional proven breaches meant he could no longer remain in the profession.
In its findings, the tribunal determined that Mazumder had acted dishonestly in relation to specific dealings, amounting to a fundamental violation of the trust placed in solicitors. Dishonesty, the panel stressed, strikes at the heart of public confidence in the profession and cannot be excused or overlooked. The ruling confirmed that his conduct demonstrated a lack of integrity and warranted the most serious sanction available: removal from the roll.
Outcome for Co-Respondents
The tribunal also considered the cases of Naser Khan and Salauddin Khan.
- Naser Khan denied all allegations but was found guilty of each one. The panel ruled that his actions breached the standards required of solicitors and contributed to the overall misconduct under review. He was ordered to pay costs but did not face the ultimate sanction of being struck off.
- Salauddin Khan also denied the allegations made against him. While the tribunal did not find dishonesty proved in his case, it ruled that one allegation was established. The panel noted that the allegation fell short of proving lack of integrity or dishonesty but still represented a breach of the professional standards expected. No order was made against him beyond that finding.
Financial Penalties
Alongside being struck off, Mazumder was ordered to pay £250,000 in costs to cover the proceedings. The tribunal highlighted that his attempts to contest numerous elements of the case, despite clear evidence, had led to extensive hearings and increased costs.
The SDT emphasised that costs orders reflect the principle that those found guilty of professional misconduct should bear the financial burden of regulatory enforcement, rather than the wider profession or the public.
Tribunal’s Reasoning
In its judgment, the panel made clear that dishonesty is “a grave and irredeemable failing” for a solicitor. Public trust, the tribunal stated, depends on the assurance that solicitors act with honesty and integrity in all matters. The ruling underlined that when that trust is broken, removal from the profession is the only proportionate response.
Mazumder’s case, the tribunal concluded, demonstrated repeated disregard for the standards and principles governing solicitors. While he had admitted one allegation at the outset, his denials of the remaining charges were rejected in light of evidence and testimony presented during the hearings.
Wider Implications
The SRA welcomed the decision, noting that it reinforced the regulator’s commitment to upholding the highest standards in the legal profession. Cases of dishonesty, particularly where proven in multiple instances, are treated with the utmost seriousness to protect both clients and the public at large.
The ruling brings to an end a lengthy and costly disciplinary process that has once again underlined the tribunal’s willingness to impose severe sanctions when solicitors fall short of their professional obligations