Yet another solicitor from Birmingham-based conveyancing and commercial law firm AKZ Solicitors, Alum Rock, has been struck off and ordered to pay over £20,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), after he admitted to a string of allegations.
The solicitor, Zia Latif, admitted to failing to maintain books and accounts, causing or permitting client monies to be withdrawn from their accounts in breach of rules, giving false and misleading explanations to the regulator and practicing without indemnity insurance cover and failing to give an Accountant’s Report.
Mr Latif also admitted to dishonesty when giving false and misleading explanations to the SRA.
According to AKZ Solicitors’ website, it stated that it has “professional qualified staff who are passionate about what they do offering a wide range of expertise and specialisation.”
On the 21st October, Mr Latif was struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) and was ordered to fork out £22,500 worth of costs.
Commenting on the punishment, Gordon Ramsay, SRA Director of Legal and Enforcement, said: "SolicAitors hold positions of trust and Mr Latif abused that position. He also made misleading statements, which was dishonest, and we don't want dishonesty in the profession.
"The tribunal's decision is entirely appropriate."
In February this year, jailed solicitor, Kamran Malik, of the same law firm, was first to be struck off by the Tribunal.
Mr Malik was jailed for five years for four counts of mortgage fraud, four counts of money laundering and one count of perverting the course of justice. The Tribunal found that “he had failed to uphold the rule of law and the proper administration of justice, failed to act with integrity, and failed to behave in a way that maintained the trust the public placed in him and in the provision of legal services.”
Mr Latif has 21 days to appeal following the publication of the tribunal's judgment.
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