The article from Legal Cheek, published By Rhys Duncan on Jun 28 2024 8:44am, discusses the conviction of Rasib Ghaffar, a barrister and part-time immigration tribunal judge, who was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a £1.8 million legal aid fraud. The case was presided over by Judge Deborah Taylor, Ghaffar was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to three years’ imprisonment. Here are the key points:

• Conviction Details: Ghaffar was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. He conspired with legal clerk Gazi Khan, solicitor advocate Azar Khan, and solicitor Joseph Kyeremeh to defraud the taxpayer through submitting false legal aid claims.
• Nature of Fraud: The fraud involved submitting false defendants’ costs orders, claiming inflated legal costs back through legal aid. This scheme was based on cases from 2011 and 2012.
• Specific Claims: Ghaffar was responsible for a fee note claiming £184,000 for over 350 hours of work, which was later proven to be fraudulent as he was only involved in the case for a very short period before its conclusion.
• Other Involved Parties: Azar Khan, the principal partner at City Law Solicitors, and Joseph Kyeremeh also submitted fraudulent claims. Azar Khan claimed over £162,000 for work supposedly done over 500 hours, and Kyeremeh claimed for work amounting to over £176,000.
• Legal and Public Reaction: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) highlighted the seriousness of the fraud, noting that these legal professionals defrauded the Legal Aid Agency for personal gain. The case has been cited as an example of corruption within the legal profession, potentially influencing public and political discourse on legal aid funding and oversight.
• Sentencing: Ghaffar received a three-year sentence, while Azar Khan and Kyeremeh were sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years. Gazi Khan received a five-year sentence in a separate sentencing.

This case underscores issues of fraud within the legal aid system, prompting discussions on the integrity of legal professionals and the mechanisms for oversight and accountability in legal aid claims.

Sources

• Malcolm McHaffie, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate
• Rasib Ghaffar, (DOB: 09/10/1969) was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and sentenced to three years imprisonment
• Gazi Khan (DOB: 07/07/1968) was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and sentenced to five years imprisonment
• Azar Khan, (DOB: 06/12/1971) was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years
• Joseph Kyeremeh (DOB: 24/12/1950) was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and sentenced to a two year suspended sentence 
• A lawyer has been imprisoned for defrauding the Legal Aid Agency | The Crown Prosecution Service (cps.gov.uk)
• Part-time immigration tribunal judge jailed for £1.8m legal aid scam | Law Gazette
   

If you believe you are a victim of Legal Aid Fraud. Please contact : Legal Aid Agency Counter Fraud and Investigations – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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