A partner has been suspended from practice for nine months after she practised as a sole practitioner for more than three years without authorisation.
Michelle Niaz, admitted in December 2015, admitted all the allegations against her but denied her conduct was reckless. The Solicitors Regulation Authority was granted permission to withdraw an allegation of recklessness.
Niaz became a partner at Clitheroe, Lancs-based firm, Lewis Mitchell Solicitors Inc Ruth Moores in 2016 and after another partner left in January 2020 and was not replaced, Niaz became the sole partner. She was also the compliance officer for legal practice from December 2016 and the compliance officer for finance and administration from January 2017.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal judgment on the agreed outcome states that between January 2020 and September 2023, Niaz operated as a sole practitioner without authorisation and had held client monies when she was not working in an authorised body.
Niaz, described by the SDT as ‘an experienced solicitor who was aware of her regulatory responsibilities’, had ‘direct control and responsibility for the circumstances giving rise to the misconduct,’ the judgment said, adding she ‘had the procedural knowledge required to replace a partner as she had done so previously’.
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Suspending Niaz for nine months from 22 January 2026, the SDT said: ‘Clients were placed at risk as a result of the respondent practising without authorisation, holding client money when not entitled to do so, failing to carry out reconciliations and failing to ensure that accounts reports were prepared as required. The potential for harm was significant.’
After Niaz’s suspension, she will be subject to conditions, including that she may not practise as a sole practitioner, manager or owner of an authorised or regulated body, work as a solicitor unless approved by the SRA or be a partner or member of an LLP, LDP, ABS or other, for an indefinite period.
The SDT also ordered Niaz pay £22,140 costs.
