SOLICITORS REGULATION AUTHORITY LIMITED v SOOPHIA KHAN

SOLICITORS REGULATION AUTHORITY LIMITED v SOOPHIA KHAN

Ms Khan was found in contempt of court for deliberate and sustained breaches of two court orders requiring delivery up of documents and property. She had notice of the orders, failed to comply without reasonable excuse, and her breaches were serious, deliberate, and without mitigation sufficient to avoid a custodial sentence. The court imposed a six-month sentence, with three months suspended on conditions of compliance.

Parties
Claimant: Solicitors Regulation Authority Limited; First Defendant: Soophia Khan; Second Defendant: Sophie Khan & Co Limited; Third Defendant: Just For Public Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
12 January 2022
Procedural Posture
Contempt of Court / Committal Proceedings / Judgment After Hearing of Committal Applications
Outcome
Ms Khan found in contempt of court; sentenced to six months' imprisonment (three months for each breach, concurrent), with three months suspended on condition of compliance within six weeks.
Legal Topics
Committal for Contempt, Breach of Court Orders, Solicitor Regulation, Service of Court Orders, Sanctions for Contempt
Civil Procedure Professional Regulation Contempt of Court Committal for Contempt Breach of Court Orders Solicitor Regulation Service of Court Orders Sanctions for Contempt

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Parties

Solicitors Regulation Authority Limited

Claimant

Soophia Khan

First Defendant

Sophie Khan & Co Limited

Second Defendant

Just For Public Limited

Third Defendant

Procedural Posture

Contempt of Court / Committal Proceedings / Judgment After Hearing of Committal Applications

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Ms Khan was in contempt of court for failing to comply with two court orders requiring delivery up of documents and property
  2. 2 Whether service of the orders was properly effected
  3. 3 Whether the breaches were deliberate and culpable

Ratio Decidendi

Ms Khan was found in contempt of court for deliberate and sustained breaches of two court orders requiring delivery up of documents and property. She had notice of the orders, failed to comply without reasonable excuse, and her breaches were serious, deliberate, and without mitigation sufficient to avoid a custodial sentence. The court imposed a six-month sentence, with three months suspended on conditions of compliance.

Court Disposition

Ms Khan found in contempt of court; sentenced to six months' imprisonment (three months for each breach, concurrent), with three months suspended on condition of compliance within six weeks.

Orders

  • Warrant of committal issued for six months' imprisonment, three months suspended on compliance with both orders within six weeks
  • Ms Khan reminded of right to appeal and right to apply for bail or stay