Solicitor rebuked for acting alone for impoverished clients

Abdul Barri was a solicitor and consultant at Leeds firm Chapman Dhillon advising clients on immigration matters.

In the course of acting for three clients in particular, between November 2013 and October 2014, it became apparent they could not afford the firm’s fees if it was to act for them to completion of their matters.

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Barri then offered to act for them outside of his practice at the firm, charging them reduced fees. The clients agreed and Barri worked on matters outside the practice.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority confirmed Barri was not authorised to act as a sole practitioner and did not have in place any professional indemnity insurance.

In a regulatory settlement agreement published yesterday, Barri admitted acting for clients other than through an authorised entity, and in doing so failing to act in their best interests.

The SRA opted to give a written rebuke, bearing in mind the limited extent of the work Barri undertook and the small number of clients affected. The regulator also took into account the apparent desire of Barri to help potentially vulnerable clients.

Barri, who was admitted as a solicitor in January 2013, agreed for the settlement to be published and that he would not deny misconduct.

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Solicitor rebuked for acting alone for impoverished clients