DUPED

A solicitor who failed to check a banned barrister's credentials before instructing him has been made subject to strict conditions of practice by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT). Zeeshan Saqib Mian was practicing at Dennings Solicitors (which has since closed for unrelated reasons) and admitted taking on the barrister in 2014 as a consultant and instructing him in two High Court cases. The barrister was disbarred in 2011. Mian, who said he had been the victim of a 'compelling deception', accepted acting with manifest incompetence. The SDT imposed restrictions on him for two years and a fine of £20,000; and ordered him to pay £25,000 in costs. 16 January