Registered foreign lawyer faces tribunal after conviction linked to immigration offence
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has referred a registered foreign lawyer to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) following a criminal conviction relating to immigration offences.
Abhishek Kumar is facing disciplinary proceedings after a decision by the SRA dated 7 November 2025 and published on 1 April 2026. The tribunal will now consider the allegations and determine whether any professional misconduct is established.
The referral relates to Mr Kumar’s conviction at Isleworth Crown Court for an offence under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. The SRA states that the tribunal has certified there is a case to answer in respect of allegations that he knowingly employed an individual who was disqualified from employment due to their immigration status.
The proceedings concern Mr Kumar’s conduct while associated with legal practices, including Kims Law Ltd, which is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), and Rivington Solicitors Limited, based in London.
The SDT, which operates independently of the SRA, will assess the evidence presented by both the regulator and the respondent before reaching its decision. At this stage, the allegations remain unproven.
Referrals to the tribunal are made where the SRA considers there is sufficient evidence to warrant formal disciplinary proceedings. The tribunal has the authority to impose sanctions where misconduct is established, including fines, suspension or removal from the roll in applicable cases.
No further details regarding the circumstances of the conviction or its impact on professional conduct have been disclosed in the published notice.
The case highlights the regulatory framework governing legal professionals, including registered foreign lawyers, and the SRA’s role in addressing matters that may affect public confidence in the legal sector.
A hearing date has not been specified in the published decision.