Disgraced cocaine-addict lawyer jailed and struck off for tipping off Mr Big about police investigations is ALLOWED to return to the law profession – ‘because he committed the offences 12 years ago’
- Solicitor Basharat Ditta, 54, was jailed in 2013 for perverting the course of justice
A disgraced solicitor who was jailed and struck off for tipping off drug dealers about police investigations has been allowed to return to the legal profession, with his new employer pointing out that he committed the offences ‘some 12 years ago’.
Basharat Ditta, 54, was jailed in 2013 for perverting the course of justice after he passed messages between suspects in an investigation while he was a cocaine addict.
The former partner at law firm Forbes, whose drug problem had left him ‘hopelessly compromised’, was struck off from the solicitor’s roll in January 2015.
He then made nine subsequent legal challenges to overturn it, all of which failed, with his final attempt being thrown out of the High Court in London in 2016.
This meant any solicitor wishing to employ him in connection with their practice as a solicitor had to obtain approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Basharat Ditta, 54, was jailed for perverting the course of justice after he passed messages between suspects in an investigation while he was a cocaine addict
One firm, Walker Preston Solicitors, applied to the body for permission to hire Ditta in a non-legal business development role in 2017, but the application was refused.
But in April this year, approval was finally granted by the SRA for him to be employed by Drummond Solicitors Limited in Bradford, with the result of the application published last month.
Under the terms of the agreement, Ditta will be hired as a legal clerk and will have his work supervised at all times and files reviewed on a for fortnightly basis for six months.
And he will only be allowed to work at the firm’s head office in Chapel Street, Bradford.
A spokesperson for the firm said: ‘Drummond Solicitors Limited can confirm the appointment of Mr Ditta as a legal clerk within our office based in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
‘Drummond Solicitors are aware of the background of Mr Ditta and the custodial sentence imposed upon him for attempting to pervert the course of justice in 2013.
‘The seriousness of the offence is not questionable. However, what we do point out is that the offending behaviour arose from events in 2011, some 12 years ago.
‘An application was made to the SRA in November 2022 pursuant to the prescribed procedure for approval to employ Mr Ditta.
The former partner at law firm Forbes, whose drug problem had left him ‘hopelessly compromised’, was struck off from the solicitor’s roll in January 2015
‘The SRA were invited to consider the age of the offending behaviour, the rehabilitation of Mr Ditta including returning to university to obtain further qualifications, employment for many years for a PLC company and his genuine remorse into the events that occurred.
‘The SRA thoroughly examined the application, including a personal statement submitted by Mr Ditta and a number of references from persons within the profession and outside who supported his return.
‘Following careful and detailed scrutiny, the SRA granted approval for employment in May 2023.
They added: We emphasise that the employment of Mr Ditta is subject to strict conditions imposed by the SRA. We believe every individual has the right to rehabilitation.
‘It is our view that Mr Ditta can contribute positively to the profession, and we look forward to working with him.’
A spokesperson from the SRA said: ‘We are satisfied that the above employment will not put public confidence in the administration of justice and the provision of legal services or the interests of clients at risk.’
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