Arshad Ali Khan
Solicitor
17549

Decision - Sanction

Outcome: Rebuke

Outcome date: 6 January 2023

Published date: 5 April 2023

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Ali & Co

Address(es): 19a Westgate, Huddersfield, HD1 1NP

Firm ID: 385945

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

The SRA has issued Mr Khan with a written rebuke for failing to comply until 13 December 2022 with a court order dated 27 July 2019.

Facts of misconduct

It was found that Mr Khan's conduct breached:

• Principle 2 of the SRA Principles 2019 which requires him to act in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitor’s profession and in legal services provided by authorised persons.
• Paragraph 2.5 of the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs which requires him to comply with court orders which place obligations on him.

The court order was made against Mr Khan and related to unpaid rent on the firm's premises. It required Mr Khan to pay £3,697.98 to the claimant immediately. This sum was not paid in full until 13 December 2022.

Mr Khan's conduct was serious by reference to the following factors in the SRA Enforcement Strategy: his non-compliance with the court order was over approximately a three year period, he was an experienced solicitor and was a manager of a firm.

Reasons/basis

Decision on sanction and costs

It was decided to issue Mr Khan with a written rebuke given that there was no lasting significant harm to consumers or third parties, the court order had now been complied with, there was a low risk of repetition, and some public sanction was required to uphold public confidence in the delivery of legal services.

Mr Khan was ordered to pay the SRA's costs of £600 in investigating this matter.