Disciplinary Record - Aqeeb Khan

Decision - Employee-related decision

Outcome: Approval of employment (section 43)

Outcome date: 5 August 2022

Published date: 26 September 2022

Firm details

Firm or organisation at time of matters giving rise to outcome

Name: Central Chambers Law Ltd

Address(es): Suite 2 Central Chambers, The Broadway, Ealing, London W5 2NR

Firm ID: 658186

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

Central Chambers Law Ltd have been granted permission under Section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974 to employ Aqeeb Khan subject to the following conditions:

1. Mr Khan's work is at all times supervised by Mahtab Aziz and in his absence by Jagdish Chopra.
2. Mr Khan's employment at Central Chambers Law Ltd is limited to that as outlined by the Firm in their initial application and letter, dated 10 March 2022 and the Firm’s email dated 24 May 2022 with the exception that Mr Khan does not attend clients on remand in prison or at police stations.
3. Mr Khan’s supervision is as per the details provided to us by the Firm in their initial application and letter, dated 10 March 2022 and the Firm’s email dated 24 May 2022.
4. Mr Khan is not responsible for the supervision of other staff.
5. Mr Khan does not attend clients in person unless supervised.
6. Mr Khan’s telephone calls are monitored and recorded as per the supervision details provided by the Firm.
7. Any proposed variation to Mr Khan’s duties, or arrangements as to his supervision are notified to us in advance of the change taking place and that the variation must not take place until permission is granted by us.
8. This approval will lapse if Mr Khan’s employment with the firm is terminated or if Mr Khan leaves the firm.
9. This approval and the conditions attached to it are subject to review at the absolute discretion of the SRA

Reasons/basis

Aqeeb Khan was made subject to an order under section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974 on 8 June 2021. In accordance with section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974, any solicitor wishing to employ or remunerate him in connection with their practise as a solicitor must obtain our approval. The SRA is satisfied that the above employment will not put public confidence in the administration of justice and the provision of legal services or the interests of clients at risk.

Decision - Employee-related decision

Outcome: Control of non-qualified staff (Section 43 / Section 99 order)

Outcome date: 8 June 2021

Published date: 2 August 2021

Firm details

Firm or organisation at date of publication

Name: Maurice Andrews Solicitors Ltd

Address(es): 182 Soho Hill, Birmingham B19 1AG

Firm ID: 637667

Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Decision details

IN THE MATTER OF: Aqeeb Khan of Birmingham

A person who is or was involved in a legal practice but is not a solicitor

THE FACTS

On 18 November 2016, Mr Khan was tried and convicted by Shropshire Magistrates Court of stalking causing his victim serious alarm or distress, which had an adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities, contrary to section 4A(1)(a)(b)(ii) and (5) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

On 11 January 2017, Mr Khan was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, to participate in rehabilitation activity up to 20 days within the supervision period of 12 months, a restraining order prohibiting him from approaching, contacting or attempting to contact the victim in any way whatsoever until 11 January 2020, pay a fine of £150, pay a victim surcharge of £115 and pay the Crown Prosecution Service costs of £750.

Mr Khan appealed against his conviction and on 9 February 2018, his appeal was dismissed by Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Mr Khan’s conviction related to a course of conduct between 31 January 2016 and 15 February 2016, including making a verbal threat over the telephone and following his victim in a vehicle.

Mr Khan was not employed at the time the offence occurred. Mr Khan is currently a trainee solicitor with Maurice Andrews Solicitors Ltd of 182 Soho Hill, Birmingham B19 1AG.

FINDING

Mr Khan, who is not a solicitor, is involved in a legal practice and has been convicted of a criminal offence which is such that it is undesirable for him to be involved in a legal practice in any of the ways described in the order below.

ORDER

To make an order pursuant to section 43 that with effect from 28 days from the date of the letter or email notifying Mr Khan of Birmingham of this decision:

1. no solicitor shall employ or remunerate him in connection with his/her practice as a solicitor;
2. no employee of a solicitor shall employ or remunerate him in connection with the solicitor's practice;
3. no recognised body shall employ or remunerate him;
4. no manager or employee of a recognised body shall employ or remunerate him in connection with the business of that body;
5. no recognised body or manager or employee of such a body shall permit him to be a manager of the body; and
6. no recognised body or manager or employee of such a body shall permit him to have an interest in the body

except in accordance with the SRA’s permission.

Mr Khan was also ordered to pay the SRA’s costs of £300 in investigating this matter.