Solicitor Struck Off Roll for Charging Grade A Fees for Work Not Carried Out

The case of Pravin Jugdaohsingh, a solicitor who charged grade A fees for work he had not carried out himself, has shocked the legal community. Jugdaohsingh, formerly with London firm RHJ Devonshire, was recently struck off the roll after endorsing a statement of costs that included his own hourly rate of £450 for work mostly done by a consultant solicitor collaborating with the firm.

The misconduct came to light during arbitration proceedings between Jugdaohsingh and KTS Legal, with whom he had a joint venture agreement. It was revealed that Jugdaohsingh had inaccurately completed the statement of costs and made false statements to the High Court and an arbitrator. Despite offering mitigation that his actions were not motivated by greed and that there was no actual loss to anyone, Jugdaohsingh was found guilty of dishonesty by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

The tribunal emphasized the seriousness of dishonesty in the legal profession, stating that Jugdaohsingh’s actions caused harm to the standing of the profession in the eyes of the public. As a result, Jugdaohsingh, a solicitor with 20 years of experience, was struck off and ordered to pay £10,650 in costs.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in the legal profession, and the consequences that can arise from unethical behavior.