Amar-Ul Haq
Solicitor
032091

Decision - Fined

Outcome: Fine

Outcome date: 28 October 2021

Published date: 6 December 2021

Firm details

Firm or organisation at date of publication and at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Supreme Law

Address(es): 37 High Street Pelsall Walsall WS3 4LX England

Firm ID: 384764

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Reasons/basis

Amar-Ul Haq is a solicitor. He is a partner at Supreme Law Solicitors, a recognised body, whose main office is at 37 High Street, Pelsall, Walsall, West Midlands WC3 4LX. Mr Haq works at 413 Birmingham Road, Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1 AU.

It was found that:

1. Mr Haq caused or permitted a client account cash shortage in the sum of £21,553.12 to exist as at 31 October 2019. In doing so, Mr Haq breached Rule 20.9 of the SRA Accounts Rules 2011 (the Accounts Rules) and Principles 6 and 10 of the SRA Principles 2011 (the Principles).
2. Mr Haq did not replace the cash shortage promptly upon discovery. In failing to do so, Mr Haq breached Rule 7.1 of the Accounts Rules and Principles 6 and 10.
3. Mr Haq failed to keep accounting records for the firm properly written up. In failing to do so, Mr Haq breached Rule 29.1 of the Accounts Rules.
4. Mr Haq failed to carry out client account bank reconciliations every five weeks. In failing to do so, Mr Haq breached Rules 29.12 and 29.13 of the Accounts Rules.
5. iAs a manager, Mr Haq failed to ensure compliance with the Accounts Rules by the principals of the firm and by everyone employed in the firm. In failing to do so, Mr Haq breached Principle 8 and Rule 6.1 of the Accounts Rules.
6. Mr Haq did not have effective systems and controls in place to achieve and comply with all the Principles, rules and outcomes and other requirements of the SRA Handbook. He did not identify, monitor and manage risks to compliance or take steps to address the issues identified. In failing to do so, Mr Haq failed to achieve Outcomes 7.2 and 7.3 of the SRA Code of Conduct 2011.

SRA Principle 6 - this required Mr Haq to behave in a way that maintains the trust the public places in him and in the provision of legal services.

SRA Principle 8 - this required Mr Haq to run his business or carry out his role in the business effectively and in accordance with proper governance and sound financial and risk management principles

SRA Principle 10 - this required Mr Haq to protect client money and assets.

Mr Haq was directed to pay a financial penalty of £1,400 and costs of £600.