A trainee has been banned from the profession after his firm discovered he had forged his law degree and LPC certificate.

Both are requirements for a training contract, and Sanjeeva Camillus' handiwork was competent enough to convince London firm William Sturges LLP that he was a solid prospect. It was also good enough to pass the Solicitors Regulation Authority's checks, although as the regulator's decision notice repeatedly refers to Camillus' employer as 'William Burges', a 19th century architect, that might not be saying much.

    It would be the SRA's longest stakeout yet 

The 29-year-old was allowed by the regulator and the firm to commence a training contract in 2013, until an investigation revealed he was a chancer with certificates aged in cold tea. The SRA has ruled that he misled both it and his employer and imposed a section 43 order, meaning that no solicitor, firm or recognised body can employ Camillus without the SRA's permission. He also can't set up his own firm. Unless it's fake. William Burges LLP might be a good bet, Sanjeeva.

William Sturges is however just the latest law firm to fall for a scam, as Olswang's financial director can attest.
 
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