Solicitor convicted of providing illegal immigration advice

A Luton-based solicitor has been convicted on four offences of providing unregulated immigration advice at Luton Magistrates' Court.

Flora Magdaline Mendes was convicted in her absence and sentenced to six months' imprisonment for each offence to run concurrently and suspended for two years.

Mendes pretended she was a regulated solicitor and practised under the firm name of Arch's Law. However, she had already been suspended from practice by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in January 2013.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Mendes is now subject to a curfew order to run seven days a week between 10pm and 7am until 29 August 2015. She was also ordered to pay a total of £2,325 in compensation and £2,881 in prosecution costs.

Mendes is set to find herself before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) on the 14 and 15 July for making untrue statements to the SRA; failing to obtain a policy of insurance; breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Rules; and practising as a solicitor otherwise then in a manner permitted by Rule 12.01 Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007. The SRA intervened in 2013 causing an immediate suspension of her practice.

Giving judgment in the Luton magistrates' court, District Judge Lee-Smith said he had 'heard detailed evidence of the trail of destruction towards vulnerable people she left in her wake as she continued to practice. The damage is a very significant aggravating feature in this case'.

Commenting on the decision, Immigration Services Commissioner Suzanne McCarthy said: 'Ms Mendes chose to operate outside the law. I am delighted with the outcome of this case. I hope it sends a clear message to other people considering providing immigration advice - either act within the law or you will find yourself in court.'