Regulators shut down three immigration firms following exposé

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has closed down three immigration firms, following a Daily Mail undercover operation that exposed severe wrongdoings.

Staff at the firms offered an undercover Mail reporter, who was posing as an economic migrant, that for thousands of pounds they would submit false asylum and human rights cases.

These firms, Kingswright Solicitors Birmingham, Rashid & Rashid in South Wimbledon, and Lincoln Lawrence in Hounslow are now unable to operate, with all documents and money seized by the SRA.

The practising certificates of Muhammad Ahmad (Kingswright), Muhammad Hayat and Rashid Khan (Rashid & Rashid) have been automatically suspended, so they cannot practice as a solicitor.

A Section 43 order has also been issued against VP Lingajothy, formerly of Duncan Ellis Solicitors, which means that he cannot work in another solicitor firm without SRA permission.