An unregistered barrister and struck off solicitor has been disbarred following findings of professional misconduct.

Barrister wig

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Shazia Anjum was ordered to be disbarred following an independent disciplinary tribunal which found she had behaved in a way which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine her honesty and/or integrity.

While practising as a solicitor, she caused or allowed one or more improper transfers of money from the firm’s client account and, knowing that her firm’s account had been frozen, attempted to arrange for client funds to be paid into an account other than the firm’s office or client account.

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found the charge proved in November 2020 and Anjum was struck off.

Anjum, who was called to the bar by Lincoln’s Inn in March 2012, failed to notify the Bar Standards Board of the disciplinary tribunal and the ‘serious misconduct’ which had taken place.

Anjum also promoted her services online, offering to supply immigration advice when she was not authorised to practise either as a barrister or a solicitor, the BSB said.

A BSB spokesperson said: ‘The tribunal found that Ms Anjum behaved dishonestly and committed serious misconduct by causing or allowing one or more improper transfers of money from the firm’s client account and thus breaching her professional obligations as a solicitor.

‘Dishonesty, and Ms Anjum’s failure to inform the Bar Standards Board that she was the subject of this enforcement action by another approved regulator, are very serious matters and the tribunal’s decision reflects this.’

The decision is open to appeal.