Law grad barred from profession over dishonest job application

Avatar photo

By Legal Cheek on

7

Failed to disclose court judgment against him

Lady Justice
A law graduate has been barred from the legal profession for not disclosing a court ruling against him in a job application for a paralegal role.

Shahraq Hussain secured a position in the motor fraud team at the national law firm DAC Beachcroft in February last year. As part of the pre-employment checks, the law graduate was asked if he had ever been involved in any civil proceedings or had any outstanding judgment debts against him.

Hussain answered “no” to both questions, despite having been found “fundamentally dishonest” in his conduct of a personal injury claim, according to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The 2024 Legal Cheek Firms Most List

The regulator’s decision states that Hussain’s claim was dismissed by Birmingham County Court in October 2019, and he was ordered to pay the second defendant’s legal costs.

His responses were found to be “false and misleading” and his conduct “dishonest”.

The SRA made the subject of a section 43 order which prevents him from working for any regulatory law firm without its prior approval. He was also ordered to pay the SRA’s costs of £600.

7 Comments

Anonymous

Ridiculous. Why ruin a hardworking life over something so trivial. Most times, you miss seeing the court Notice to appear on court until after the hearing. How is one expected to remember something that happened in 2019? SRA section 43 should be reviewed, re-worded or scratched.

Anonymous

I would remember if I was the one who filed the claim…..just saying

He was the one who filed the claim, a court proceeding in which you lost the claim to is not something one easily forget

Don’t lie

I think most people with an average memory would remember going to court over a “false and misleading” personal injury claim. This person doubled down on their dishonesty in connection with the profession.

While harsh, he can still work in law, though subject to SRA’s approval. Seems proportionate to me. Rule of thumb: don’t lie.

Allie

Common sense and education don’t always go hand in hand. Lying on his application form shows he has little regard for the truth and moreover, the law. Now those two go hand in hand. Shame.

Steve

Applying for a counter fraud job, having been found to have been fundamentally dishonest in the recent past and dishonestly then completing the application is hardly “trivial”

Krishna Dass

It’s very hard question to answer, but the same time you need to be honest It’s the law.

Observation

One of the key principles for a solicitor is honesty. They hold too much responsibility to not be held to higher accountability.

The SRA will always come down hard on those who are dishonest. It’s the reason for the majority of striking off orders.

Join the conversation