Unregistered Barrister disbarred for deceptive practices: Upholding integrity in the legal profession

Unregistered Barrister Disbarred for Deceptive Practices: Upholding Integrity in the Legal Profession

Summary: Naseem Ahmed Bajwa faces disbarment after misleading authorities, revealing breaches of integrity and professional standards.

In a recent disciplinary tribunal, unregistered barrister Naseem Ahmed Bajwa faced the grave consequence of disbarment due to findings of professional misconduct. The independent tribunal, concluding on January 10, 2024, deliberated on charges presented by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). The tribunal's verdict was centered around Mr. Bajwa's actions, which were deemed lacking in integrity as he was found to have recklessly misled or attempted to mislead both the Bar Council and the Bar Standards Board.

The crux of the matter lay in false information provided by Mr. Bajwa as part of his authorization to practice application. He claimed to be a door tenant at Martin Burr Chambers, asserting that he would commence his self-employed barrister practice at these chambers on January 12 or 17, 2022. However, investigations revealed that Mr. Bajwa had neither submitted an application to the chambers in question nor did he hold the esteemed status of a door tenant.

The tribunal, taking into consideration the gravity of the charges and aggravating factors such as previous disciplinary findings of a similar nature, a lack of remorse, and a likelihood of repetition, concluded that disbarment was the fitting sanction.

A spokesperson from the Bar Standards Board emphasized the severity of dishonestly misleading the regulator, stating that it constitutes a serious form of professional misconduct that can erode public confidence in both an individual barrister and the legal profession as a whole. The decision to disbar Mr. Bajwa sends a clear message about the tribunal's commitment to upholding the high standards expected of the Bar.

It's noteworthy that the tribunal's decision is subject to appeal, allowing for further legal proceedings. The case of Naseem Ahmed Bajwa serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining transparency and integrity within the legal profession to ensure public trust and confidence.