A solicitor has been struck off the roll for ‘deliberate, calculated and repeated’ dishonesty – including overcharging a client by 500%.

A disciplinary tribunal found that Premji Naran Patel, a sole practitioner at Alliance Solicitors, had ‘systematically abused’ client monies, overcharged for work and had deliberately misled his clients.

According to the tribunal, he overcharged one client by at least £58,739.81 plus VAT, five times the cost of the work done.

The tribunal said his conduct was aggravated by his ‘proven dishonesty which was deliberately calculated and repeated, and was in material breach of his obligation to protect the public and maintain confidence in the reputation of the profession.’

(Source – Law Society Gazette)