Solicitors Regulation Authority Ltd v Khan & Ors (Rev1) [2022] EWHC 45 (Ch) (12 January 2022)

Solicitors Regulation Authority Ltd v Khan & Ors (Rev1) [2022] EWHC 45 (Ch) (12 January 2022)

Ms Khan had notice of the orders, deliberately failed to comply, and is liable for contempt. The breaches were serious, sustained, and deliberate, justifying an immediate custodial sentence. The court's jurisdiction to strike off is engaged due to contempt, but exercised only in exceptional cases.

Citation
[2022] EWHC 45 (Ch)
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 and Committal Applications / Final Judgment and Sanction
Outcome
Ms Khan found in contempt for breach of two court orders; sentenced to six months imprisonment (three months for each order, concurrent), with three months suspended conditional on compliance within six weeks.
Legal Topics
Contempt of Court, Compliance With Court Orders, Solicitors Act 1974, Legal Services Act 2007, Sanctions for Breach, Striking Off Solicitors
Regulatory Law Professional Discipline Civil Procedure Contempt of Court Compliance With Court Orders Solicitors Act 1974 Legal Services Act 2007 Sanctions for Breach +1 more

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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 and Committal Applications / Final Judgment and Sanction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Ms Khan breached court orders requiring delivery up of practice documents
  2. 2 Whether Ms Khan had notice and knowledge of the orders
  3. 3 Appropriate sanction for contempt

Ratio Decidendi

Ms Khan had notice of the orders, deliberately failed to comply, and is liable for contempt. The breaches were serious, sustained, and deliberate, justifying an immediate custodial sentence. The court's jurisdiction to strike off is engaged due to contempt, but exercised only in exceptional cases.

Court Disposition

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

Orders

  • Immediate custodial sentence of three months for each contempt, to run concurrently.
  • Suspension of three months conditional on compliance with both orders within six weeks.