HOURLY RATE X10

A solicitor has been suspended after increasing his hourly fee tenfold after causing the delay of a property registration. Waheed Rahman, a solicitor at Legal Companion Solicitors in Swindon, invoiced the lender's solicitor £4,459 despite his initial estimate of £190. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) found he failed to comply with an undertaking, had acted unreasonably and in an obstructive manner and undermined public trust. He was suspended for six months which was suspended for two years subject to conditions. 10 September