19 Feb 2020

Unregistered barrister Aurang Khattak was suspended from applying for a practising certificate for two years by an independent disciplinary tribunal which concluded on 13 February 2020 following charges of professional misconduct brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).

The tribunal's decision comes after Mr Khattak was struck off the Roll of Solicitors in 2012 following repeated breaches, falling short of dishonesty, of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules when practising as a supervising solicitor between January 2009 and April 2012. The matter was brought to the BSB’s attention in 2017.

The tribunal found that Mr Khattak had engaged in conduct, whether in pursuit of his profession or otherwise, discreditable to a barrister and likely to diminish public confidence in the legal profession or the administration of justice, or otherwise bring the legal profession into disrepute.

Commenting on the order, BSB Director of Legal and Enforcement, Sara Jagger said: “It is a serious matter for a supervising solicitor to allow breaches of the solicitors’ accounting rules to take place and the Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision to prevent Mr Khattak from practising as a barrister for two years reflects this.” 

The tribunal’s decision is open to appeal.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Aurang Khattak

Aurang Khattak was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Gray’s Inn in April 1989.

About disciplinary tribunals

The appointment, operation, and decisions (including sentencing) of disciplinary tribunal panels are performed by the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS). BTAS is run independently of the Bar Standards Board, the barristers' regulator. The BSB is responsible for bringing charges of professional misconduct against barristers, which BTAS tribunal panels then adjudicate. The sanctions imposed are a matter for the tribunal having regard to BTAS Sanctions Guidance which is endorsed by the Council of the Inns of Court.

About the Bar Standards Board

Our mission is to regulate barristers and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales in the public interest. For more information about what we do visit: http://bit.ly/1gwui8t

Contact: For all media enquiries call: 0207 611 4691 or email [email protected].

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