News release
SRA issues record-breaking fine to Kingly Solicitors owner
15 May 2025
We have imposed our largest-ever fine, nearly £4 million, on Nurul Miah, the former non-solicitor owner of Kingly Solicitors. The firm, originally RH Legal (Bristol) Ltd, was shut down by us in 2020 following serious concerns about the misuse of client funds.
Investigations revealed 310 improper transfers from client accounts to companies linked to Mr Miah. These were used for inappropriate purposes such as loan repayments and to buy assets unrelated to the business. We uncovered forged statements attempting to conceal these unauthorised transactions.
We reported our findings and supporting evidence to the relevant law enforcement authorities.
Despite the return of some funds, a shortfall of approximately £10 million remained at Kingly. We stepped in to protect clients by closing the firm down, securing £22.5 million in client money, and ensuring appropriate redress through its compensation fund. We have also collected and secured 220,000 files from the various offices, including more than 90,000 wills and deeds.
Paul Philip, Chief Executive of the SRA, said: 'This is the largest fine we have ever issued. Mr Miah's dishonesty impacted thousands of people. We stepped in to safeguard their interests – closing the firm, securing files and returning money to clients.
'This action concludes our investigations. We have been making sure that law enforcement are being provided with all the relevant evidence. Meanwhile, we continue to review how best to protect client funds, with further steps to be announced later this year.'
We also acted against three other individuals:
- Lalou Tifrit who was a consultant assisting Mr Miah and is not a solicitor – disqualified from working in a regulated firm without our permission and ordered to pay £28,230 in costs.
- Colin Buckingham who worked at Kingly and is not a solicitor – disqualified from working as a Head of Finance and Administration in a regulated firm without SRA permission and ordered to pay £1,350 in costs.
- Simon Hutcheson who is a solicitor – fined £26,766, ordered to pay £1,350 in costs and subject to practice restrictions since 2023.
We remain committed to upholding professional standards, fostering public trust in legal services and ensuring effective regulation to support access to justice.
In the wake of a rise in 'interventions' - where we have had to step-in and close down a law firm – We consulted on changes to better safeguard client money.