HALIM, Lauretta

 

Date

3 July 2008

 

Charge

The charges against Lauretta Halim of LH Immigration Services, London were:

 

Mrs Halim failed to conduct a client’s matters with reasonable expedition, whereby disrepute was brought upon the Institute or its members contrary to paragraph 1(1) of the Code of Conduct of The Institute of Legal Executives.

 

The particulars to this charge were that between 12 November 2004 and 31 October 2005, in the course of her practice conducted as LH Immigration Services Limited Ms Halim failed, alternatively failed adequately, to pursue applications to the Home Office for a work permit and/or leave to remain in the United Kingdom on behalf of her client.

 

Ms Halim failed to keep a client promptly and effectively informed of progress and developments of the matter in hand contrary to paragraph 1(1) of the Code of Conduct of The Institute of Legal Executives.

 

The particulars to this charge were that between 11 November 2004 and 11 May 2005 in the course of her practice conducted as LH Immigration Services Limited Ms Halim failed to inform, alternatively failed adequately to inform the said client of the progress of his applications for a work permit and/or leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

 

Ms Halim failed to comply with the Solicitors Costs Information and Client Care Code applicable to the practice of a solicitor, whereby disrepute was brought upon the Institute and its Members contrary to Paragraph 1(1) of the Code of Conduct of The Institute of Legal Executives.


The particulars to this charge were that on or about 15 September 2004 in the course of her said practice on behalf of the said client Ms Halim failed or failed adequately to provide information in a client care letter as to whether she was acting for the said client on the basis of a fixed fee or on the basis of fees to be charged according to an hourly rate for work done, whereby the information was misleading or unclear.

 

On or about 15 September 2004 in the course of her said practice on behalf of the said client Ms Halim failed or failed adequately to provide information in a client care letter as to the likely timescale, an explanation of the issues and as to progress, of the matter.

 

Ms Halim failed to recognise that the interests of the client are paramount to those of all otherscontrary to paragraph 1 (4) of the Code of Conduct of the Institute of Legal Executives       

 

The particulars of this charge were that between 15 December 2006 and 23 August 2007 in the course of her practice conducted as LH Immigration Services Limited Ms Halim failed to conduct the financial affairs of the said business so as to avoid a real and continuing risk that clients having paid their fees in advance would not, in the event of a financial failure of the business, receive contracted professional services in whole or in part or be able to recover their monies.

 

Between the said dates and in the carrying on of the said business Ms Halimfailed to establish or apply a system of financial accounts so as to effectively monitor expenditure.

 

Outcome    

The Tribunal found charges 1 and 2 proven against Mrs Halim insofar as they related to applications for a work permit.  It found charge 3 proved.  The Tribunal found charge 4 proved in relation to two particulars.

 

Penalty

Mrs Halim was excluded from membership of ILEX for a minimum period of one month.  The Tribunal recommended that in considering any future application for re-instatement ILEX should consider Mrs Halim’s proposed arrangements regarding office systems, client care and financial management.  It added that she should provide evidence of relevant training in respect of these areas of work. 

 

Mrs Halim is no longer regulated for the purposes of providing immigration services under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. 

 

Mrs Halim was also ordered to pay costs to ILEX in the sum of £3000.