Ardeshir Matini faces repeat SRA restrictions, banning him from client funds and firm control
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has imposed sweeping restrictions on the practising certificate of London solicitor Ardeshir Matini, prohibiting him from handling client funds, running firms, or operating independently. The regulator confirmed on 26 September 2025 that conditions first applied in 2024 have been renewed for the 2024/2025 practising year.
The latest order, dated 9 June 2025, prevents Matini from acting as a manager or owner of any authorised body or non-SRA firm. He is also barred from serving as a compliance officer for legal practice or finance and administration, roles which carry significant regulatory responsibility within law firms. In addition, Matini is prohibited from holding or receiving client money, signing off on client or office accounts, or authorising financial transfers. He is further restricted from practising on his own account under the Solicitors Regulation Authority Authorisation of Individuals Regulations.
According to the decision, these conditions are necessary in the public interest and proportionate to the regulatory objectives set out in the Legal Services Act 2007. By imposing and publishing the restrictions, the SRA aims to uphold public confidence in the profession and ensure transparency in its regulatory oversight.
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This is the second consecutive year Matini’s practising certificate has been subject to such controls. In April 2024, similar conditions were placed on his 2023/2024 certificate and published in December 2024. That decision imposed the same prohibitions, including a ban on managing firms, handling client accounts, and practising independently. The renewal of these measures for 2025 reflects the regulator’s continuing stance that his practice must remain under tight control.
At the time the matters arose, Matini was associated with Matini Montecristo LLP, based on Kensington High Street, London. By the date of publication of the most recent outcome, he was linked to Empass Law Limited, located in Hanover Square, London. Despite these changes in affiliation, the restrictions have remained in force, preventing him from exercising full professional authority within any legal entity.
The cumulative effect of the restrictions is that Matini is allowed to continue working within the profession but only in a significantly reduced capacity. He cannot engage with client money, cannot lead or own a firm, and cannot act as a compliance officer. Any role he undertakes must comply with the conditions set by the SRA, leaving him confined to limited practice without the responsibilities typically carried by senior solicitors.
The SRA has made clear that such conditions are designed to protect clients and the wider public, while also preserving confidence in the profession’s integrity. By excluding Matini from financial and managerial roles, the regulator ensures that he cannot occupy positions where trust and oversight are paramount. The decision highlights the SRA’s ongoing use of practice restrictions as a regulatory tool short of striking a solicitor off the roll, allowing continued participation in the profession but under carefully monitored limits.
With two consecutive practising certificates now subject to near-identical conditions, there is no indication as to whether or when the restrictions on Ardeshir Matini may be lifted. For now, he remains authorised to practise law only within the strict boundaries imposed by the SRA.